DEFENCE

Project Aquatrine

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of Project Aquatrine.

Adam Ingram: Project Aquatrine will transfer responsibility for the maintenance and operation of all the Ministry of Defence's water and wastewater assets and infrastructure in Great Britain to private sector service providers.
	Four consortiums are bidding for the first package of work of this £2.9 billion private financial deal. An Invitation to Negotiate will be issued to bidders for the first package of work on 16 July 2001.
	The consortiums invited to negotiate for this work, covering central southern England, western England and Wales, are:
	Brey Utilities, comprising:
	Brown and Root, Earth Tech and Yorkshire Water.
	C2C, comprising:
	Severn Trent, Costain and Arup.
	Diamond Alliance Ltd.
	Thames Water plc.
	The preferred bidder will be announced in early 2003, with the contract expected to be awarded in late 2003.

Type 45 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  for what reasons the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers has been delayed;
	(2)  what criteria were given to RAND for their report into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers;
	(3)  when the report by RAND into the bidders contract to build type 45 destroyers will be completed; and when he will make a decision;
	(4)  if the Government will publish the findings of the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers.

Lewis Moonie: We commissioned RAND to do a study on a range of alternative procurement strategies for our future warship programmes over the next 15 to 20 years, with particular reference to options for the type 45 destroyers. The study is intended to help inform, not make, decisions by the Department within the context of obtaining value for money over the warship programme as a whole.
	The study has not been delayed and RAND have provided their initial findings to the Department. We used these to help assess the best way forward for the type 45 procurement strategy as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 July 2001, Official Report, columns 675–85. We will continue to use RAND to advise us on related issues over the next few weeks.
	We expect RAND to publish a report based on their findings in the autumn, after consultation with interested parties over the confidentiality of its content, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision, in the agreement with the Kenyan Government on military training is made for the British Army to clean up live bombs after operations.

Adam Ingram: There is no agreement between the British Army and the Kenyan Government for the clearance of live ammunition after training. There is, however, a widely understood military protocol whereby the host nation is responsible for the clearance of military ranges and this is followed in Kenya. The British Army aims to destroy the ammunition it uses as soon as possible after it has been fired. In Kenya, destruction takes place while the units are conducting their training and at the end of the exercise period. Notwithstanding that, in the last two years the British Army has carried out clearance work in support of the Kenyan authorities.
	The British Army is alone in that it also trains on privately owned land in Kenya in addition to using Kenyan Department of Defence facilities. The British Army clears any unexploded ordnance from privately owned land as required by their agreements with local landowners.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what point the military clearance operation in North Kenya was suspended after the unexploded ordnance specialist left the area.

Adam Ingram: I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the clearance operation which took place at Archer's Post earlier this year. The operation was not suspended. It was a planned activity that took place between 7 April and 16 May. The dates for the operation were agreed last year.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the procedure is for the clearing of civilians before and after military training in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas of north Kenya;
	(2)  what provision his Department has made to stop civilian entry into the testing grounds that the British Army use in Archer's Post and Dol Dol in northern Kenya.

Adam Ingram: The responsibility for ensuring that civilians are cleared from the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas rests with the Kenyan Department of Defence. Wherever the British Army trains with live ammunition it must confirm that the danger area is clear before commencing training. At Archer's Post this is achieved by using range wardens, a helicopter overflight of the danger area and the deployment of danger flags and sentries. The sentries and range wardens act to stop civilians entering Archer's Post while training is in progress.
	The British Army does not conduct live firing at the Dol Dol area.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will take responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by unexploded ordnance in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol areas.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence's position is that we take responsibility for deaths and injuries where we are shown to be legally liable.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will ensure that all signs outside training areas used by the British Army in Kenya are intelligible to people who cannot read.

Adam Ingram: There are large concrete signs outside live firing areas used by the British Army in Kenya, with words of warning written in English and Samburu. The nomadic tribesman have been grazing their animals in the area for a considerable number of years and are aware that some of the area is a Kenyan Department of Defence live firing military range as it has been for many years. We therefore believe that the signs are well understood by both the local population and nomadic tribesmen that transit the area. My hon. Friend may also wish to note that the range wardens employed throughout the year by the British Army instruct the local population about the dangers posed during live firing and from touching unexploded ordnance.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any of the unexploded ordnance found in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas were from the British Army.

Adam Ingram: I assume my hon. Friend is referring to recent activities where the British Army, in support of the Kenyan Department of Defence, conducted limited clearance operations at Archer's Post. During 2000 a total of 32 ammunition types were recovered, only two of which were found to be unique to the British Army. The Royal Engineers are continuing to analyse the ammunition found earlier this year.
	We do not conduct live firing at the Dol Dol training area and have therefore not conducted an explosive ordnance clearance operation at the range. Any live unexploded ordnance found at Dol Dol is therefore a matter for the Kenyan authorities.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many square kilometres of the Archer's Post range were cleared in the operation from March to May.

Adam Ingram: The clearance operation covered 64 square kilometres.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many live bombs were found in the recent clean-up operation of Archer's Post from March to May; how many were British made; and how many had batch numbers showing who had fired them; and of these how many had been fired by the British Army.

Adam Ingram: During the recent clearance operation at Archer's Post a total of 271 live ammunition types were found. Work is continuing to establish their provenance.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army first was informed that people were being (a) injured and (b) killed on the Archer's Post and Dol Dol range by live bombs.

Adam Ingram: In recent times, the British Army has been aware of three incidents where civilians were killed or injured at Archer's Post. The first of these incidents is believed to have taken place in May 1999.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army intends to clean up the live bombs about which they were informed by Osiligi representatives in late 2000.

Adam Ingram: I understand that the ordnance to which my hon. Friend refers was found at the Dol Dol training area. The British Army does not conduct live firing at Dol Dol, and any live ammunition found there is therefore a matter for the Kenyan authorities.

Precision-guided Missiles

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom is part of the Netherlands- led consortium to purchase precision-guided missiles from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The UK is not part of any Netherlands-led consortium for the procurement of precision-guided missiles from the United States of America.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The public consultation period on the emerging findings of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 16 March 2001, Official Report, column 756W, ends on 31 July. A summary of the views expressed during this period and a response to them will be published when the comments have been fully considered.

Armoured Reconnaissance Unit

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the 4th Armoured Reconnaissance Unit will be stationed at Stanley Barracks, Bovington; and which regiment will be fulfilling that role at that time.

Adam Ingram: In his answer on 12 April 2000, Official Report, column 147W, the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar) stated that the 4th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment will be the Queen's Dragoon Guards who would move into barracks at Bovington in August 2003. Since then a number of factors have emerged that might affect this plan and there has therefore been a need to re-address the options. I shall write to the hon. Member when the position is clearer.

Medical Services

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy is for fast-tracking of service personnel for medical treatment (a) in Ministry of Defence hospital units and (b) elsewhere.

Lewis Moonie: Service patients are mainly treated in Ministry of Defence Hospitals Units (MDHUs), in other NHS hospitals as NHS patients, or in Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) directly managed units (DMUs) in the UK and overseas. The British Forces Germany Health Service provides secondary care for service personnel in Germany where there are generally no waiting lists.
	The DSCA has set waiting time targets for the treatment of patients from the armed forces in its DMUs and MDHUs. The contracts between MDHUs and their host NHS trusts include financial payments to encourage trusts to achieve these. The contracts also allow service personnel needed for operational deployment to receive a priority out-patient opinion. In addition, contracts were placed last year with independent sector health care providers to treat service personnel in shortage categories to relieve overstretch. Referrals under these contracts ceased in March 2001. Planning has recently been approved for another rapid treatment initiative.
	Military personnel referred to NHS hospitals outwith MDHU arrangements are treated in accordance with NHS waiting times on the basis of clinical need.

MOD Property (Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what land and property is in the possession of his Department in North Belfast; and on what terms.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has two properties in the parliamentary constituency of North Belfast. The Regular Army is based in Girdwood Barracks, part of which we hold freehold and the remainder is leasehold. The Territorial Army is based at Dunmore Camp, which is held under freehold.

A400M and Meteor

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the memorandums of understanding for the A400M and Meteor that he signed in Paris in June.

Lewis Moonie: The memoranda of understanding for the A400M and Meteor programmes will become effective when all participants have signed them. We do not anticipate all signatures being in place until September 2001. Copies of the documents will be placed in the Library of the House when they become effective.

Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total (a) budget and (b) cost was of purchasing and commissioning the Merlin helicopter for the Royal Navy.

Adam Ingram: The total budget for purchasing the Merlin helicopter was £4,931 million. The total forecast cost of purchasing the Merlin helicopter is £4,903 million. This includes the UK element of the development costs. The development of the Merlin Mk1 was part of the EH 101 UK/Italy collaborative project. The forecast also includes an estimate for the initial provisioning of capital spares, the cost of the avionics weapon system, the Merlin Training System and the supply of ground support equipment.

Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the full squadron of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: On current plans the first full squadron of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters will be fully operational in May 2002 with the further squadrons achieving this status within a rolling programme up to 2005.

Helicopters

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if QinetiQ plc is included in the manufacturing licence agreement for the Apache AH MK I helicopter.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 13 July 2001
	No. The Manufacturing licence for the UK Apache Attack Helicopter is between Westland Helicopters Ltd. and the Boeing Company. Westland Helicopters Ltd. is currently seeking an amendment to the licence to enable QinetiQ to access such US proprietary data as it needs to undertake its work on the UK Apache programme. US State Department approval will be required for the amendment.

Helicopters

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the impact of the failure of the full mission simulator software on the date for operational readiness of the WAH-64 helicopter.

Lewis Moonie: Problems with software integration have delayed the availability of the Full Mission Simulator for the UK WAH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter. This has, in turn, delayed the start of our training programme. As a consequence, we currently expect the readiness date for the first operational Apache squadron will be August 2004, a slip of seven months.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) US and (b) UK (i) military and (ii) civilian personnel are deployed at RAF Menwith Hill.

Adam Ingram: As at 13 June 2001, at RAF Menwith Hill there were 459 US military, 1,012 US civilian, five UK military and 404 UK civilian personnel (excluding GCHQ staff). I am withholding the numbers of GCHQ staff under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Space Based Infra- Red System radomes to come on line at RAF Menwith Hill.

Adam Ingram: At present there is no firm date for when the European Relay Ground Station for the Space Based Infra-Red System located at RAF Menwith Hill will come on line.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the legal status is of the United States personnel stationed at RAF Menwith Hill.

Adam Ingram: The US personnel stationed at RAF Menwith Hill are there at the invitation of Her Majesty's Government, and are members (or dependants of members) of a visiting force or the civilian component of a visiting force to which Part 1 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 applies.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason US Menwith Hill was renamed RAF Menwith Hill.

Adam Ingram: The base was renamed RAF Menwith Hill in February 1996 bringing it into line with other sites made available to United States visiting forces in the UK.

Ministerial Visits (Menwith Hill and Fylingdales)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date a Minister from his Department last visited (a) RAF Menwith Hill and (b) RAF Fylingdales.

Adam Ingram: RAF Menwith Hill was visited by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 5 July 2001. RAF Fylingdales has not been the subject of a ministerial visit since 1 May 1997.

Roving Sands Exercises

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom personnel were involved in the exercises known as Roving Sands; and for what purpose.

Adam Ingram: Exercise Roving Sands is an annual multinational Air Defence exercise hosted by the US Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, USA, involving UK, Dutch, German and Canadian Air Defence forces. The purpose is to exercise in a joint and combined integrated defence environment as part of a joint forces headquarters. This year, we planned to deploy 264 personnel from 7 Air Defence Brigade to participate in the exercise between 6 June and 1 July. Owing to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK, however, the US Department of Defense asked the UK not to import vehicle or heavy equipment into Texas for the exercise. The UK participation in the exercise Roving Sands 01, therefore, consisted of 22 personnel from 7 Air Defence Brigade deployed to Fort Bliss where they were integrated in the Headquarters of the 31 Air Defence Brigade, US Army.

Sovereign Bases

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Sovereign base areas which would be defended under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and what plans there are to withdraw from these bases.

Adam Ingram: There are two Sovereign base areas, at Episkopi and Dhekelia in Cyprus. There are no plans to withdraw from these bases.

Tank Accident (Salisbury Plain)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cause of the fatal accident involving a Challenger II tank on Salisbury Plain was on 11 July; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: It is too early to know what caused the fatal accident on Salisbury Plain, but a full investigation has begun. Clearly all our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers who died in the accident.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Green Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Solicitor-General what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Loizidou Case

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General what action the Attorney General proposes to take to assist in ensuring that Turkey complies with its obligations to the Loizidou case as a consequence of the resolution of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers of 26 June. [R]

Harriet Harman: I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Congestion Tax

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Mayor of London's proposed congestion tax on retailing within the proposed congestion tax area.

David Jamieson: holding answer 3 July 2001
	The Mayor's congestion charging proposals are his responsibility, not the Government's. However, in 2000, before the Mayor was elected, a Government-sponsored report was published entitled "Road Charging Options for London: a Technical Assessment". This was a report by an independent group consisting of transport experts from the academic, professional and public sectors. Chapter 5 on "Impacts and Effects" discusses how the illustrative charging scenarios included in the report would affect different groups including retail businesses. The impacts on businesses are discussed at paragraphs 5.3.79 to 5.3.82. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

Railways

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide the figures for the fourth quarter of 2000–01 of service disruptions due to failures in trains, signals, points and track.

David Jamieson: Railtrack figures show that the average daily delays from all causes to services run by the franchised passenger train operators during the 12 week period beginning 7 January 2001 totalled 76,647 minutes. Around 18,500 trains ran each day under the winter timetables.

Railways

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the need for additional capacity on the Cotswold railway line between Worcestershire and Oxford; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has met the Cotswold and Malvern Line partnership who are preparing a bid for funding from the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme to improve this stretch of the line. When the bid is submitted it will be assessed against the authority's planning criteria.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evaluations his Department has conducted into the advantages of extending southwards the railway line from Chessington South.

David Jamieson: No evaluations have been made by my Department or the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). I understand that evaluations have been made by Stagecoach, the franchisee of South West Trains, and that the proposal is supported by the local authority. If funding were required from Government it may be available through the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme (RPP), administered by the SRA. The SRA will assess any bids on value for money grounds against their published planning criteria. Bidding guidance has been sent to all local authorities.

Railways

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will establish a method of independent oversight to ensure the study promised by GoVia into the viability of reopening the Lewes-Uckfield line is undertaken properly.

David Jamieson: The study will be carried out by a consultant in accordance with terms of reference agreed by the Strategic Rail Authority and GoVia. The authority will consider the results of the study against planning criteria approved by Ministers. It would neither be practicable nor appropriate to introduce further parties into the evaluation process.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received about the full value for money analysis in respect of London Underground proposals; what has been the response to them and by whom; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: In addition to occasional questions in the House, my Department receives a small amount of correspondence from time to time about the value for money analysis of the Government's proposals for London Underground.
	A report of the Environment, Transport and the Regional Affairs Committee published in July 2000 recommended that the National Audit Office should evaluate the public sector comparator used in the value for money analysis before contracts were signed. The National Audit Office produced a report into the financial analysis of our proposals for the London Underground in December 2000.
	The Select Committee also recommended that the results of the comparator tests should be published before the letting of any contracts. Our response to all such representations has been that the results of the full value for money analysis will be made publicly available once contracts have been signed. To publish the results any earlier would undermine London Underground's commercial position and damage its ability to achieve best value for the taxpayer.

Housing

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what amount his Department intends to reduce the level of public subsidy to housing over the next 10 years expressed as (a) a total figure and (b) a figure per week for each tenant.

Sally Keeble: The Government's proposals for the new Housing Revenue Account subsidy system will not lead to any change in the overall level of subsidy in 2002–03 from that announced in the 2000 Spending Review. Thereafter the future level of subsidy will be determined as part of the general decisions in the Spending Reviews on future public expenditure.

Local Authority Redundancy Costs

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the criteria under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 governing the use by local authorities of housing investment programme allocations for social services staff redundancy packages; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: Housing investment programme allocations, together with those for a number of other capital programmes, are issued in the form of Basic Credit Approvals. Authorities are free to use these for any capital purpose.
	Expenditure for capital purposes is defined in the 1989 Act, but the Act also provides, in section 40(6), for the Secretary of State to make a direction that expenditure normally defined as revenue be treated by the authority concerned as expenditure for capital purposes. Directions are not normally issued unless the expenditure:
	(a) is substantial in relation to the authority's revenue budget for the financial year concerned and was unforeseeable when that budget was adopted; or
	(b) cannot be met out of financial reserves but will result in revenue account savings in future years.
	Applications for capitalisation of redundancy costs, and similar lump-sum costs such as severance or premature retirement payments, are normally considered against test (b) as stated. In those cases, directions are not usually given unless the expenditure to be capitalised exceeds both:
	5 per cent. of the authority's available reserves (excluding Local Management of Schools (LMS) reserves) and
	0.25 per cent. of its total budgeted expenditure for the financial year in question.
	It is therefore possible, owing to the flexibility allowed to authorities in the use of BCAs, and following issue of a section 40(6) direction, for housing capital allocations to be used to fund redundancy costs. But this would only be in an exceptional case and the authority in question would still be expected to meet longer term targets for housing improvement.

Postal Voting

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research has been undertaken on the new criteria for postal voting; what steps have been taken to promote it; what the level of use of postal votes issued was; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The Electoral Commission intends to publish by the end of July its review of the general election, including the operation of postal voting. Statistical information, including information about the numbers of postal votes issued will be in the Commission's further report expected at the end of the year. When the general election was announced an extensive Home Office publicity campaign was launched on TV, radio, in the press and through leaflets.

Traffic Area Network

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the Traffic Area Network computer system will be implemented in the whole of the United Kingdom.

John Spellar: The Traffic Area Network (TAN) has embarked on a major change programme, called TAN 21, designed to modernise the way the organisation carries out its business. The programme includes complete renewal of all computer systems throughout the network. The ICT infrastructure—the hardware, the links between the offices and the new e-mail systems—was installed last year and is already operating nationally. The first phase of the new business system, which handles the processing of operator licences, is currently being piloted in the Scottish traffic area. Subject to satisfactory performance of the pilot, this phase of the system will be rolled out to the rest of the country shortly. We are aiming to complete implementation of all the new systems, which include new e-commerce services for the industry, computerisation of the compliance and local bus route registration systems and a new finance system, across the whole of Great Britain by the end of the year.

Road Works

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers local authorities have to co-ordinate the excavation of roads within their areas by statutory undertakers and private companies; and what steps he is taking to review these powers.

Sally Keeble: Section 59 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places an obligation on local highway authorities to co-ordinate the execution of utility street works and other works in their streets. This is intended to ensure safety, to minimise inconvenience to road users and to protect the structure of the street and any apparatus located in it. While we have no plans to review this requirement, we are looking at ways in which the co-ordination of works by authorities can be made easier and more effective.

Tram and Guided Bus Systems

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  in which cities (a) tram and (b) guided bus systems have been opened over the past four years;
	(2)  what plans he has to introduce new rapid transit lines broken down by (a) the cities in which he intends to introduce them, (b) the number of lines he will introduce in each city and (c) the date for commencement of each project;
	(3)  in which cities he intends to introduce (a) new trams and (b) guided bus systems over the next 10 years indicating in each case (i) when work is expected to commence and (ii) when the system is expected to open.

Sally Keeble: It is for local authorities to put forward proposals for light rail or guided bus schemes as part of their Local Transport Plan, or the Mayor's Transport Strategy in the case of London. Where Government funding is sought, we require a thorough appraisal of the scheme. Since 1997, five new light rail lines have opened: two extensions to the Manchester Metrolink, the Midland Metro line to Wolverhampton, the Croydon Tramlink and the Docklands Light Railway extension to Lewisham. No new guided bus schemes have been opened within this period. The charts set out those light rail and guided bus schemes that have been approved or given provisional approval with construction and approximate opening dates.
	
		Light rail
		
			 Scheme City Lines Construction/opening date 
		
		
			 Tyne and Wear Metro Extension to Sunderland Newcastle to Sunderland 1 line Construction began February 2000—opens 2002 
			 Nottingham Express Transit Nottingham 1 line Construction began June 2000—opens 2003 
			 Manchester Metrolink Extensions Manchester 3 lines Construction to start early 2002—planned to open in 2006 
			 South Hampshire Rapid Transit Fareham to Portsmouth 1 line Construction to start late 2003–04—planned to open in 2006. 
			 Leeds Supertram Leeds 3 lines Construction to start 2002—planned to open in 2006. 
			 Docklands Light Railway to City Airport London 1 line Construction to start early 2002 subject to outcome of Transport and Works Act (TWA) application—aim to open during 2004–05. 
			 Bristol and South Gloucestershire Light Rapid Transit Bristol 1 line Provisional construction start 2004 subject to successful economic appraisal and any subsequent TWA application—provisional completion date 2006. 
			 Midland Metro Extensions Birmingham 2 lines Construction to start 2003—completion in 2006. 
		
	
	
		Guided bus
		
			 Scheme City Construction Opens 
		
		
			 A63/A64 York Road and Selby Road Leeds Under way September 2001 
			 A641 Manchester Road Bradford Under way Autumn 2001 
			 Crawley Fastway Crawley to Gatwick Preliminary works commenced. Major works start February 2002 Completion of all three phases by 2005 
			 Chester/Deeside Transport System Chester Seeking TWA Powers. Dependent on TWA application 
			 Leigh Manchester Seeking TWA powers Dependent on TWA application 
		
	
	We are also aware of proposals for new light rail lines in Merseyside, Hull, Bath, East Lancashire and Blackpool and for further extensions to the Manchester Metrolink, the South Yorkshire Supertram, the Midland Metro, Nottingham Express Transit and the Tyne and Wear Metro. There are proposals for guided bus schemes between Luton and Dunstable, in Northampton and in Cambridge.
	For London, the Mayor's Transport Strategy includes proposals for four tram or bus transit schemes—East London Transit, Greenwich Waterfront Transit, Uxbridge Road Transit and Cross River Transit. The Mayor and Transport for London will consult on each of these proposals to decide which, if any, should be taken forward, with a view to completing planning, determining funding and financing and starting the construction of any preferred scheme or schemes by 2004.

Buses

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money will be invested in the Urban Bus Challenge Fund in each of the next 10 years.

Sally Keeble: Provision for the Urban Bus Challenge in the current three-year spending review period is as follows:
	
		
			 Year £ million 
		
		
			 2001–02 8 
			 2002–03 18 
			 2003–04 20 
		
	
	As part of the next Spending Review, which is due to be completed in the summer of 2002, provision for this scheme for 2003–04 will be confirmed, and provision agreed for 2004–05 and 2005–06. Provision for the remaining years of the 10-year Transport Plan (2006–07 to 2010–11) will be considered in the forthcoming review of the plan and in future Government Spending Reviews.

Buses

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the extent to which bus passenger journeys outside London will change in the next 10 years.

Sally Keeble: Our assumption in the 10-year Transport Plan is that the measures, taken as a whole, would make achievable our target of a 10 per cent. increase in bus use nationally over 10 years. No separate estimates were made of the position outside London.

Buses

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made towards extending the rural bus subsidy grant to cover more journeys serving market towns.

Sally Keeble: The White Paper "Our Countryside: The Future" last November announced our intention to extend the eligibility criteria for Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to allow for the support of services operating in and around towns of up to 25,000 (compared with 10,000 previously). We have already implemented that change to the rules from 1 April this year. We have also increased the funding available this year to £41.5 million, with further increases planned for the next two years. It is for the local authority to decide which particular services to support using these additional resources and we have given them some flexibility to fund existing as well as new services.

Road Accidents

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made towards reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents over the past 12 months.

David Jamieson: Good progress is being made in implementing the Government's Road Safety Strategy that was launched in March 2000. Progress to date and proposed next steps on the many elements of the strategy are reported in a quarterly schedule which is placed on the DTLR website (www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/ strategy/imp/index.htm). The end-June 2001 schedule will be available there soon.
	The main road casualty results for 2000 were published on 14 June 2001. Fuller details will be published in September. I am pleased to say that the number of deaths and serious injuries in 2000 was 2 per cent. less than that for the previous year, and for children up to age 15, the number was 9 per cent. lower. I very much hope that this is part of a continuing downward trend and that we achieve or better the target casualty reductions set for 2010 in the strategy: a 40 per cent. reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries, a 50 per cent. reduction in the number of child deaths and serious injuries, and a 10 per cent. reduction in the rate (by vehicle mileage) of slight injuries—all compared with the averages for 1994 to 1998.

Community Transport Schemes

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when community transport schemes will be entitled to claim a fuel rebate.

Sally Keeble: Following consultation with relevant organisations earlier this year, we will be bringing forward regulations on the introduction this financial year of fuel duty rebate for a wide range of community transport services.

Cycle and Pedestrian Routes

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many routes for safer cycling and walking have been introduced in the past 12 months; and how many are planned to be introduced in each of the next nine years.

John Spellar: Information on cycling and walking provision is not available in the form requested. The Government have encouraged local traffic authorities in England to include strategies for increasing cycling and walking in their local transport plans (LTPs).
	Local cycling strategies contain plans for up to 4,300 km of new cycle routes in England by 2005, as well as a range of facilities for cyclists such as advanced stop lines, toucan crossings and junction treatments. Local strategies to promote walking include pedestrian routes, pedestrianisation, safety measures, better facilities for the disabled and greater accessibility to transport interchanges and facilities. A number of authorities are likely to use LTP funding to make walking more accessible, by improving pavement and footway maintenance, and removing obstructions.
	We shall also be continuing to help Sustrans in the development of the National Cycle Network, which it is hoped will be 10,000 miles long by 2005.

Docklands Light Railway

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will open the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to London City airport.

David Jamieson: The powers required to extend the DLR to London City airport have been sought from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by way of an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992. A public inquiry has been held and the inspector's report is under consideration. I cannot therefore comment on the merits of the scheme or say anything which might prejudice my right hon. Friend's decision. The application will, however, be dealt with as quickly as possible. If powers were to be given, responsibility for taking forward the scheme would rest with the Mayor of London in his role as Chairman of Transport for London.

Road Traffic Estimates

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the change in traffic levels has been since (a) May 1997 and (b) June 2000 on (i) motorways and trunk roads, (ii) other major roads and (iii) minor roads.

David Jamieson: The Department estimates traffic quarterly, not monthly. These figures do not distinguish between trunk and principal 'A' class roads.
	The percentage changes in road traffic for all motor vehicles in Great Britain for the relevant quarters until the first quarter of 2001 (the latest available) are as shown in the table.
	
		Seasonally-adjusted Percentage 
		
			 Road class Q2 1997 to Q1 2001 Q2 2000 to Q1 2001 
		
		
			 Motorway 10 1 
			 Other major roads 5 0 
			 Minor roads 1 -1

Alternative Fuels

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of registered motor vehicles are equipped to run on (a) liquified petroleum gas, (b) compressed natural gas and (c) biodiesel.

David Jamieson: Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that, as of 31 March 2001, there were 25,540 vehicles, out of a total vehicle parc of 29,174,788, registered in Great Britain as being capable of being powered by road fuel gases. DVLA does not hold separate figures for vehicles powered by CNG and LPG. These figures do not include vehicles from Northern Ireland for which quarterly data are not collected.
	As any compression ignition engine should be able to use biodiesel without major modification, no separate figures are kept for biodiesel.

Green Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current session of Parliament; when meetings are planned to take place during the current session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 13 July 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 690W.

Fishing Fatalities

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fatalities there were in the fishing industry following an incident when at sea in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: In each of the last five years the number of fatalities occurring at sea were:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1996 20 
			 1997 28 
			 1998 25 
			 1999 7 
			 2000 28 
		
	
	Fatalities occurring in harbour, or when anchored outside harbour are not included.

Traffic Congestion

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what anti-congestion traffic measures, other than increased taxation, are being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: We have forecast that, without the 10-year Plan for Transport, congestion will rise by 15 per cent. across the road network as a whole, and by 28 per cent. on the inter-urban trunk road network by the end of 2010.
	With the plan, overall congestion is forecast to fall relative to 2000, as would congestion on the inter-urban trunk roads. Action on relieving congestion will be focused on the most congested parts of the network and therefore much bigger improvements in journey times will be seen in these areas.
	The implementation of the 10-year Plan as a whole rather than traffic measures alone, will deliver the planned reduction in congestion, The targets in the plan to increase passenger rail use by 50 per cent. and rail freight by 80 per cent. will be important contributions, as will better local road maintenance, road improvements, the introduction of better bus and light rail services and better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Transport (Environmental Damage)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the negative environmental impacts caused from (a) road traffic and (b) aviation; what policies his Department plans to reduce the negative environmental impacts caused from (i) road traffic and (ii) aviation; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 13 July 2001
	Assessing environmental impacts is a well established and long standing practice in this Department and across Government. Our comprehensive policies for reducing environmental impact were set out in our White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport", in 1998. Our 10-year Plan for Transport, published in July 2000, has a number of policies specifically to reduce noise. Progress on specific commitments and announcements of our continuing plans are regularly announced.

Bexhill Bypass

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed Bexhill Bypass.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 12 July 2001, Official Report, column 635–37W.

A612 Public Transport Corridor

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the progress made by Nottinghamshire county council regarding their plans for the A612 public transport corridor.

Sally Keeble: I understand that Nottinghamshire county council intends to submit a bid for an A612 public transport scheme to the Department at the end of July. Following receipt a full assessment will be carried out before a decision is announced in December.

Housing Development (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new housing developments in Coventry have been on (a) greenfield and (b) brownfield sites in the last four years; and how many are planned in each category in the next three years.

Sally Keeble: Detailed figures are not available centrally. Under best value, Coventry city council are required to report on the percentage of new homes built on previously-developed land. The Audit Commission are currently collecting data from all authorities and the Government expect to be able to publish estimated outturn for 2000–01 shortly.

Planning Policy Guidance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the introduction of public policy planning guidance on housing; and what advice has been issued to councils on responding to this guidance.

Sally Keeble: Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (PPG3) was published in March 2000. Since then, a series of good practice guides has been issued to help local authorities implement its new approach to planning for housing. We expect local authorities to update their development plans to reflect PPG3 and to test planning applications for housing development against the policies it contains.

Planning Policy Guidance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the definition of previously-developed land in Annexe C of the PPG3 guidance is to be applied uniformly throughout the country.

Sally Keeble: There are various definitions of previously-developed land in use. For the purposes of applying the policies in PPG3 the definition of previously-developed land given in annexe C should be used.

Planning Policy Guidance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the advice given to councils on withdrawing greenfield sites earmarked for housing development where no planning permission exists and where that withdrawal is in line with PPG3.

Sally Keeble: PPG3 introduces a new approach to planning for housing which, for most authorities, will mean their development plan will require early review and alteration in respect of housing. The most effective way of removing greenfield allocations from a plan that does not reflect the policies in PPG3 is through a formal alteration to the plan.

Motor Insurance

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total amount collected by the Motor Insurers' Bureau is from motor policies in the latest year for which figures are available.

David Jamieson: Industry estimates suggest that the amount levied from motor insurers last year to pay for the Motor Insurers' Bureau was approximately £200,000,000.

Motor Insurance

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average amount is that a motorist pays to the Motor Insurers' Bureau to compensate the victims of uninsured drivers.

David Jamieson: Industry estimates suggest that the honest motorist pays from £15 to £30 extra on his premium to fund compensation of victims of uninsured drivers.

Workboat Code

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency workboat code was last revised; and what application the Maritime and Coastguard Agency workboat code has to the aquaculture and fishing industries.

David Jamieson: The Workboat Code came into force in August 1998 and has not been revised. The code is currently under review as part of a harmonisation project designed to produce a single code of practice for all small commercial vessels. This review is due for completion in March 2002.
	The Workboat Code sets safety standards for vessels undertaking aquaculture (e.g. fish and shellfish farming). It does not apply to vessels engaged in commercial fish catching.

Private Finance Initiative

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what central monitoring his Department undertakes of value for money obtained in private finance initiative projects; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The value for money of private finance initiative contracts must be demonstrated against a public sector comparator, representing the costs associated with providing the same service through a conventional procurement, before approval will be given for signature of a contract. The Department ensures that the value for money benefits of a PFI contract are delivered across the life of the contract through appropriate clauses in the payment mechanism. Performance of contracts is monitored against the individual requirements of the payment mechanisms which provide incentives for the delivery of quality services.

Dredging (Tidal Water)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers (a) he and (b) his agencies have to control maintenance dredging of estuarine channels.

David Jamieson: The general power to control dredging in tidal waters is contained in section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 which requires the Secretary of State's consent to any operation to remove any object or any materials from any part of the seashore lying below the level of mean low water springs. Harbour authorities usually have powers in their local legislation to carry out within their harbour dredging in order to maintain or facilitate navigation and to license others to do so. These operations are generally exempted from the requirement for CPA consent. Disposal of the dredged material will require the approval of the Secretary of State if it is placed below the level of high water.

Wootton Creek and Ryde, Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers as harbour authority are held (a) by the Queen's Harbour Master and (b) by others in respect of Wootton Creek and Ryde, Isle of Wight.

David Jamieson: The Department is currently investigating the precise responsibilities, some of which overlap, of the harbour authorities in the area in the light of an application by Wightlink for consent to dredge at the Fishbourne ferry terminal. Although the application, has now been withdrawn I will write to the hon. Member when our investigations are completed.

Waterways (Freight)

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of total UK freight was transported by inland waterway in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.

David Jamieson: The percentage of total domestic UK freight (tonne-kilometres moved) by inland waterway in each year 1997 to 1999 was 0.8 per cent. The percentage for 2000 is not yet available.

TREASURY

Official Residences

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if refurbishment of official residences is classified as benefits in kind for tax purposes.

Dawn Primarolo: Yes. Where refurbishment to the accommodation consists of repairs, decoration or furniture, tax is charged on the benefit.
	The same rules apply to all office holders or employees.

Insurance Premium Tax

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's income has been from insurance premium tax on motor policies over the last three years.

Paul Boateng: The information is not available. Customs and Excise do not require insurers to identify the specific types of insurance policies on which insurance premium tax is paid.

Surveillance and Security Services

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 311W, on surveillance and security services, if he will break down the figures provided to distinguish between expenditure on (a) GCHQ, (b) the Security Service and (c) the Secret Intelligence Service; if he will make it his policy to publish the public service agreements relating to each agency; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: National security considerations preclude publication of this information, although all of it is available to the Intelligence and Security Committee.

Barnett Formula

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a list of the programmes for financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 where spending increases in England and Wales have resulted in an allocation under the Barnett formula of additional money to the Scottish block, indicating for each programme listed and in total, the amount allocated under the formula to Scotland in cash and percentage terms, and the equivalent increase in cash and percentage terms for each matching programme in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Information on the departmental expenditure limits for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 for Scotland was published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses in April 2001. Increases in the block grant to the Scottish Executive were published in the Scotland Office estimates for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 (and prior to devolution in Scottish Office Estimates). Details about the Barnett formula were published in the Statement of Funding Policy, which was updated in July 2000.

European Community Budget

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the Statement on the 2001 Community Budget.

Ruth Kelly: I have today laid before Parliament the Statement on the 2001 Community Budget, entitled "European Community Finances". This White Paper is the twenty-first in the series. As in the past, it covers annual budgetary matters and includes details of recent developments in European Community financial management and in countering fraud against the Community Budget. It also describes the Community Budget for 2001 as adopted by the European Parliament, and the United Kingdom's gross and net contributions to the Community Budget between 1996 and 2001.
	I have placed copies of the White Paper in the Libraries of the House.

Bribery

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to incorporate into UK law the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions into UK law; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 407W.

Bribery

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last year his Department has considered bribes paid by UK companies overseas to be (a) a reasonable business cost and (b) a business entertainment, hospitality or gift; what the value of such bribes allowed as a business expense was; what estimate he has made of the total cost of such bribes in this period; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Public Service Delivery

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of public services demonstrating an improvement in productivity in each year since March 1999.

Andrew Smith: The Government are on course to meet targeted efficiency improvements covering well over half of public spending (excluding transfers).

IT Procurement

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received from (a) local authorities and (b) Government Departments on the legal status of GCAT and S-CAT; and if he will place copies of such representations in the Library;
	(2)  what legal advice his Department has received on the legal status of GCAT and S-CAT; and if he will place copies of such legal advice in the Library.

Andrew Smith: Legal advisers are consulted as necessary on the operation of the schemes. Such legal advice is both confidential to the parties and commercially sensitive. OGC has not received any formal representation from Government Departments or local authorities on the legal status of GCat and S-CAT.

Capital Gains Tax

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected cost is for the next five fiscal years of the changes to the capital gains tax system since 1997; what studies the Treasury has (a) undertaken, (b) reviewed and (c) commissioned on the efficacy of the changes to the capital gains tax system since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The available information on the expected cost/yield of capital gains measures introduced since 1997 is published in each "Financial Statement and Budget Report". Further information on the difference in yield between the planned regime and that which would have applied if no changes had been made since 1997 could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
	The Government consulted widely on the effectiveness of the reformed capital gains tax system in the light of developing market conditions before making the improvements to taper relief that were implemented in the Finance Acts 2000 and 2001.
	In the June 2001 "Enterprise for All" announcement, the Government said that they would consider whether, during the lifetime of this Parliament, changes to the regime for non-business assets are necessary in order to improve incentives for investment and help businesses attract finance. And they will also consult on whether there are worthwhile and good value for money options to simplify capital gains tax within the existing policy framework.

Census

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when area—specific information from the census will become available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 16 July 2001
	The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent question asking when area-specific information from the Census will become available (3442). I am replying in his absence.
	Mid-2001 population estimates for local authority areas for England and Wales, based on the 2001 Census, are planned to be published around the end of August 2002.
	More detailed figures from the 2001 Census are planned to be released towards the end of 2002 and during 2003. These will provide information on the full range of topics covered in the census for geographical areas ranging from the output area and ward level up to national level.

Advizas

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to investigate the role of the Personal Investments Authority in the acquisition of the financial adviser Advizas by Towry Law.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 11 July 2001
	Under the Financial Services Act 1986, the Personal Investment Authority regulates retail investment firms and the lead regulator, the Financial Services Authority, is responsible for ensuring that the Personal Investment Authority carries out its responsibilities under the Act. Therefore it is a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

Endowment Policies

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will publish a list of endowment mortgage providers, indicating (a) how many shortfalls are associated with each company and (b) the value of orphan assets held by each company;
	(2)  if he will encourage the Financial Services Authority to publish an analysis of the performance of each company endowment policy using real charges to help consumers identify the degree of risk in each company.

Ruth Kelly: The FSA does not collect performance information direct from firms, but the Association of British Insurers collects data from its members on the proportion and numbers of letters in each of the red, amber and green, categories and passes this on to the FSA. However, the FSA is subject to constraints under Section 179 of the Financial Services Act 1986 on publication of firm data, even if it owns it.
	In any case, the performance of individual company endowment policies is not an indication of mis-selling. Consumers should focus on what they are being told by their endowment provider and the information sent by, and available from, the FSA, and take a view and appropriate action if they believe the policy has been mis-sold. If compensation is due to consumers, the size of orphan assets is irrelevant.

Endowment Policies

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ask the Financial Services Authority to ensure that the cost of compensation paid to those who were mis-sold endowment mortgage policies is borne by the companies' shareholders.

Ruth Kelly: The Government's view is that, in principle, the costs of compensating victims of any endowment mis-selling should be shared and borne in the same proportion as profits arising from mis-selling would have been.

Efficiency Measures

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Treasury has developed of improvements in efficiency in delivering the Treasury's outputs; and if he will make a statement on progress in achieving these measures.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 117W.

Industrial and Provident Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those industrial and provident societies which have deregistered for each of the last five years along with the reasons given for their deregistration.

Ruth Kelly: The table provides details of industrial and provident societies which have deregistered each year since 1997 including the reason for their deregistration.
	
		Deregistered industrial and provident societies
		
			 Reason for deregistration 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(1) 
		
		
			 Unclassified 6 8 43 24 7 
			 Cancellation 1 0 0 1 1 
			 Transfer of engagements to another society 30 49 26 24 7 
			 Final notification of liquidation 22 68 67 32 2 
			 Cancellation of the registration initiated by the Registry 58 133 802 110 25 
			 Liquidator appointed 4 3 10 7 2 
			 Instrument of Dissolution 0 1 8 16 3 
			 Multiple cancellation of the registration initiated by the Registry 0 0 0 386 0 
			 Winding Up 1 4 15 11 0 
			 Request to cancel from the society 70 87 74 78 25 
			 Conversion to a limited company 14 9 10 8 8 
			 Final winding up 0 1 5 9 0 
			 Transfer to a company 5 1 2 2 2 
			  
			 Total 211 364 1,062 708 82 
			   
			 Grand Total 2,427 
		
	
	(1) Deregistrations up to June 2001

European Single Currency

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to his answer of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 126W, if he will list those present at each meeting of the cross-party advisory group on preparations for the euro since January 2000; if he will provide a summary of discussions held at such meetings; if he will publish a list of the current membership of the advisory group; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to which he referred.

Equitable Life

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, South of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 126W, on the Financial Services Authority inquiry, when he estimates the report will be completed.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 663W.

National Asset Register

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish an updated National Asset Register; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Shortly.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Clergy Stipends and Pensions

Sydney Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what contribution the Church Commissioners made to clergy stipends and pensions in the last financial year.

Stuart Bell: In the year ended 31 December 2000 the Commissioners contributed £22.4 million to the stipends of parish clergy, distributed mostly to the neediest dioceses, plus bishops and cathedral clergy stipends of £6.7 million.
	The Commissioners paid £90.6 million for clergy pensions and a further £11.7 million to help offset the cost of contributions payable under the new pensions scheme funded by dioceses.

Redundant Churches

Owen Paterson: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the powers of the Church Commissioners to set conditions on those who purchase redundant churches.

Stuart Bell: Section 62 of the Pastoral Measures provides that the Commissioners may include in the conveyance of a redundant church such covenants as they think necessary to secure the suitable use of the building.
	These covenants are enforceable as if the Commissioners were owners of adjacent land and cannot be set aside by the Lands Tribunal.

Property Portfolio

Anne McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, when the Commissioners last reviewed their property portfolio; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: The Church Commissioners' property portfolios are each subject to annual professional external and independent valuations. Those property holdings cover three main investment portfolios: commercial, agricultural and minerals, and residential.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Belize

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the two public investment companies have (a) requested and (b) been sent copies of the report arising from the study commissioned from KPMG by her Department into regulation of offshore financial services in Belize.

Hilary Benn: Neither company has requested nor been sent copies of the report.

Belize

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates KPMG visited Belize while conducting the study commissioned by her Department into the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize.

Hilary Benn: 18 July to 1 August 2000.

Mozambique

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support the teaching of English in Mozambique.

Hilary Benn: DFID currently supports the advancement of English language teaching in three key areas:
	1. The development of English language teacher training through distance learning. This programme, which is currently run by the British Council but which will transfer to a Mozambican institution next month, is aimed at secondary school teachers and has cost £3 million over a five-year period.
	2. The establishment of a new Directorate within the Ministry of Education, the main goal of which will be to facilitate the expansion of distance learning in key areas (such as, inter alia, continuing education and training in the Civil Service, including the English language).
	3. The formation of a pilot secondary school distance learning programme for students unable to access conventional secondary schools, which began this year in Nampula Province, with three core subjects, one of which is English.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

School Exclusions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to what extent, and according to what time scale, school budgets are reduced following the exclusion of pupils from schools.

Stephen Timms: We have significantly increased the standards fund grant available to schools and local education authorities to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils, from £17 million in 1996–97 to £131 million in 2000–01 and again to £174 million this year—a 10-fold increase. Before April 2000, most of this money was held centrally by local authorities to support authority-wide initiatives to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils. For the first time in April 2000 the majority of this funding was devolved directly to schools so that they could decide how best to tackle poor behaviour. Schools have, therefore, benefited by an additional £100 million in 2000–01 and £126 million this year. Where a child has to be permanently excluded some of the money previously held by local authorities, which is now in schools, reverts back to the local authority. The exact amount of between £3,000 and £6,000 is agreed locally. This money can be used by the authority to provide education outside school or to support a reintegration package at a new school. By September 2002, all permanently excluded pupils must be offered full-time education and not the 2–3 hours per week all too typical in the past.
	Schools delegated budget shares are also reduced following permanent exclusion under the principles introduced by the last Government. I have placed in the Library a copy of "Supplement to Circular 11/99" which explains this in more detail.

School Exclusions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school decisions to exclude pupils were reversed by local education authorities in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Appeals against permanent exclusions from maintained schools are heard by independent appeal panels established by local education authorities. Figures published on 4 May show that in the school year 1999–2000, 948 appeals were lodged by parents. Of these, 863 were determined, 546 were rejected and 317 were allowed.
	Provisional information on exclusions was published in the statistical first release "Permanent Exclusions from Schools and Exclusion Appeals, England 1999/00" on 4 May 2001, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics. Final exclusion figures will be published in a statistical first release on 19 July 2001.

Standards and Effectiveness Unit

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are employed by the standards and effectiveness unit; and what its budget was for each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 9 July 2001
	The SEU is responsible for taking forward key parts of the Government's agenda for raising standards in schools. Created in 1997, the unit's remit has expanded with the development of new policies. The unit has led on strategies for literacy and numeracy, for intervention in failing schools and LEAs, and for key stage 3. It is also responsible for new policies such as city academies, excellence in cities, education action zones and beacon schools. It has taken on responsibility for specialist schools and city technology colleges, and more recently, for dealings with local education authorities on a day- to-day basis across a wide range of the Department's business.
	The unit is staffed with a mix of civil servants, and education advisers appointed from outside with recent experience of education.
	At the end of May 2001, the total number of staff in the unit was 275. The running cost budget for the unit for each year since 1997 was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 2.4 
			 1998–99 4.8 
			 1999–2000 6.4 
			 2000–01 8.1 
			 2001–02 10.6

Fast Track Teacher Scheme

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places have been accepted on the fast track teacher scheme; and how many of these teachers on the fast track scheme will be employed in (a) specialist schools, (b) city academies, (c) city technology colleges, (d) beacon schools, (e) grammar schools and (f) other maintained schools.

Stephen Timms: The total number of fast track places offered now stands at 135. Candidates are currently in the process of responding to these offers. Successful candidates will begin a year of high quality initial teacher training this autumn, and take up posts in schools in September 2002. All categories of school will be encouraged to identify how they could best use a fast track teacher.

Teaching Staff (Harrow)

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) teaching staff and (b) teaching assistants were employed in Harrow schools in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The full-time equivalents of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) and teaching assistants employed in the maintained schools sector in Harrow local authority are as follows:
	
		
			 January Regular teachers Teaching assistants Total 
		
		
			 1996 1,590 240 1,830 
			 1997 1,580 270 1,850 
			 1998 1,500 270 1,770 
			 1999 1,490 290 1,780 
			 2000 1,380 300 1,690 
			 2001(2) 1,490 n/a n/a 
		
	
	(2) Provisional
	Note:
	Totals may not be the sum of the component parts because of rounding.
	n/a = 2001 data for teaching assistants are not yet available at individual local authority level.

Specialist Schools

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools there are in England; how many are in areas within the worst 20 per cent. of wards in England according to the DETR's index of deprivation; and what specialisms have been chosen by the schools which are situated in such areas of deprivation.

Stephen Timms: From September 2001, there will be 685 specialist schools of which 181 schools (26 per cent.) are in the most disadvantaged 20 per cent. of wards in England, based on the Government's index of deprivation. This comprises 100 technology, 33 sports, 25 arts and 23 language colleges.

Teachers (Early Leavers)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the reasons for teachers leaving the teaching profession.

Stephen Timms: The Department has not commissioned any such research to date. A research project on this topic has, however, been included in the Department's research programme for the current year.

Tuition Fees

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if it is her policy that the maximum increase in student tuition fees in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05 will be equivalent to the rate of inflation.

Margaret Hodge: The level of student fee contributions at publicly funded institutions for those years will be decided in due course.

"Schools—Building on Success"

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answers of 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 389W, on "Schools—Building on Success" if she will list the organisations with which officials have held meetings to discuss the Green Paper "Schools—Building on Success".

Stephen Timms: Officials have held meetings to discuss the Green Paper "Schools—Building on Success" with the following organisations:
	National Governors' Council
	National Association of Governors and Managers
	Information for School and College Governors
	Catholic Education Service
	Methodist Church (also Free Church Council)
	Board of Deputies of British Jews
	Association of Muslim Schools
	Al Furqan School and Association of Muslim Schools
	Network of Sikh Organisations
	Seventh Day Adventist Church
	Greek Orthodox Church
	Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
	Local Government Association
	Association of Chief Education Officers/Society of Education Officers
	National Union of Teachers
	Secondary Heads Association
	Professional Association of Teachers
	National Association of Headteachers
	Association of Teachers and Lecturers
	National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers.

Teacher Training (Eastern Region)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the Teacher Training Agency's budget was spent in (a) the eastern region and (b) Bedfordshire in the last financial year.

Stephen Timms: This information is not available. The Teacher Training Agency does not account for its budget on a regional basis.

Education Reform White Paper

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will publish the White Paper on Education Reform.

Estelle Morris: The Government will issue a White Paper on education reform in early September 2001.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Communications Data Protection Directive

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's policy 
	(1)  on the change in wording in recital 10 of the revised telecommunications data protection directive (com2000/189); and if she will set out the reasons underlying the case for this recital;
	(2)  in respect of the introduction of mandatory data retention on communications service providers.

Douglas Alexander: At the Telecommunications Council on 27 June, member states and the Commission agreed to clarify that the proposed Communications data protection directive should not alter the existing balance between individual rights to privacy and the possibility for member states to take measures necessary for law enforcement. Recital 10 of the proposed directive now makes it clear that member states will be able, but will not be required, to introduce data retention requirements provided that these are proportionate and in accordance with the general principles of Community law. The position will therefore be essentially the same as it is under the existing telecommunications data protection directive.
	The UK Government welcome this outcome, although there are no plans to introduce legislation mandating the retention of communications data here. Such a move could be considered only in the context of detailed consultation with all relevant law enforcement, industry and civil liberties interests.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if it is the policy of her Department that United Kingdom manufacturers should have legal liability for the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment which was (a) manufactured outside the United Kingdom and (b) manufactured by companies which have ceased trading;
	(2)  what regulatory impact assessment (a) has been carried out and (b) will be carried out into the proposed EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the impact of the proposed waste electrical and electronic equipment directive upon (a) the retail price of electrical and electronic goods and (b) the competitiveness of United Kingdom manufacturers of such goods;
	(4)  what assessment her Department has made of the impact upon UK manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment of the requirement in the draft waste electrical and electronic equipment directive that they should be responsible for products sold before adoption of the directive and for products the manufacturer of which has ceased trading;
	(5)  what her Department's policy is on the proposed EU waste electrical and electronic equipment directive; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Government support the common position text of the draft waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive agreed at the Environment Council of Ministers meeting of 7 June 2001.
	The directive will help to provide a common framework for all member states in an area where some individual member states had already started to adopt national legislation. The effect on retail price and competitiveness of UK manufacturers will partly depend on the domestic implementation option adopted. The Government will seek to achieve the environmental objectives while minimising the cost burden placed on business through the implementing of legislation, alongside the maintenance of a level playing field.
	The common position text would require "producers" to provide for the financing of the environmentally sound treatment, recycling and disposal of WEEE. This definition of "producer" goes wider than manufacturers. For the majority of goods manufactured outside the United Kingdom it will be the professional importer who will bear the responsibilities of "producer".
	The financing method for the management of WEEE arising from "producers" who have ceased trading will be dependent upon the United Kingdom implementing regulations. The common position text would require producers to provide for this financing either when electrical/electronic goods are placed on the market or when arising as waste. The detail of these cannot be agreed until the directive is adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Community.
	For all goods placed on the market before adoption of the directive (historic WEEE), irrespective of whether the manufacturer is still trading or not, the common position text would require all existing producers to provide the financing on a proportionate basis.
	Initial regulatory impact assessments (RIA) have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. There will be a further update when the formal common position text is submitted to the House following the Commission's juriste/linguiste procedure.

EU Legislation

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the burden of European Union producer responsibility legislation upon the United Kingdom manufacturing industry; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The concept of producer responsibility for waste is central to the EC directive on end-of-life vehicles (2000/53/EC) and the proposed EC directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (COM (2000) 347 final). The implications for manufacturing industry of both these directives formed part of the regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) which the Department carried out to inform the UK's negotiating position. RIA assessments will continue to inform our consideration of the options for implementation. Copies of all RIAs have been placed in the Library of the House.

Industrial Diseases (Compensation)

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the compensation payments for respiratory diseases and vibration white finger made to recipients in (a) the Cynon Valley and (b) the rest of Wales.

Brian Wilson: With regard to respiratory disease, IRISC have made 146 final and 919 interim payments amounting to £4.45 million in the constituency of Cynon Valley, as defined by the postcodes with prefixes CF 37, 44 and 45. In the whole of Wales, 1,237 final and 8,146 interim payments have been made, totalling £38.7 million.
	In relation to vibration white finger, VWF, IRISC have made 292 final and 366 interim payments amounting to £4 million in the constituency of Cynon Valley. In the whole of Wales, 4,482 final and 3,353 interim payments have been made, totalling £36.8 million.

Industrial Diseases (Compensation)

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the legal costs to date are in respect of the claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and what the expected future costs are.

Brian Wilson: Since the Department assumed liability for British Coal's coal health liabilities in 1998, the Department has paid £40.6 million to the plaintiff's legal representatives with respect to respiratory disease. In relation to vibration white finger, VWF, these costs to date have been £32.5 million. Both figures exclude trial costs.
	So far, the Department has registered over 153,200 claims and 123,705 for respiratory disease and VWF respectively. Approximately 1,300 new claims continue to be registered each week and it is difficult to estimate the eventual total number of claims and the relevant costs. At the present rate, the Department estimates that future costs of the plaintiffs' legal representatives will be £330.3 million and £92.6 million for respiratory disease and VWF respectively.

Industrial Diseases (Compensation)

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the cost of claims settled in respect of (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and what the anticipated cost is of all outstanding claims.

Brian Wilson: Since the Department assumed liability for British Coal's coal health liabilities in 1998, the Department has paid £247.4 million in respect of respiratory disease for damages, costs to plaintiffs and their legal representatives, medical costs and compensation recovery to the Department for Work and Pensions. These costs for vibration white finger, VWF, amount to £359.8 million.
	The Department has received over 153,000 claims and 123,700 claims for respiratory disease and VWF respectively. Approximately 1,300 new claims continue to be registered each week and it is difficult to estimate the total number of claims and the relevant costs. At the present rate, the Department estimates that the cost of settling outstanding claims as defined above will be around £2.1 billion and £1.9 billion for respiratory disease and VWF respectively. These are in addition to the above amount already spent.

Industrial Diseases (Compensation)

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation she has made into the claims handling procedures provided by Hays in respect of vibration white finger; what percentage of employment histories are provided within 56 days; and how many have been outstanding for more than (a) six months, (b) nine months and (c) 12 months.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 12 July 2001
	British Coal employment records are stored on antiquated microfiche and paper systems. Photocopying them proved very difficult. The Department therefore set up a major project with Hays which involves the scanning of claimants' records. There were some teething problems with this, particularly concerns about image quality of the CDs. These have now been resolved and Hays are producing approximately 5,000 record packs, on CD, each week of which 2,500 are for VWF claims.
	There was a backlog of employment record requests before the scanning project got up to speed but this has now been worked through and Hays are currently supplying to IRISC, the Department's claims handling agent, full record packs for individual claimants in approximately two to three weeks. Upon receipt of the records pack IRISC have 40 days to confirm a claimant's occupation, providing the claimant's solicitors has provided a correctly completed claims questionnaire.

Industrial Diseases (Compensation)

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 267W, on miners' compensation, what the average duration is between a medical assessment for former miners with (a) vibration white finger and (b) respiratory diseases, and the point at which IRISC are in possession of necessary documents to establish viability and level of compensation claims.

Brian Wilson: On vibration white finger, SEMA, the company contracted to deliver the medical assessments, return 95 per cent. of medical reports to IRISC within five days of the claimant having his appointment. Once the report is received, IRISC can assess the validity of the claim and the level of compensation.
	On respiratory disease, there are two processes to be completed between a medical assessment and IRISC being able to value the claim. First, IRISC need to evaluate the medical report and secondly, the miner's employment history needs to be agreed.
	Healthcall, the company contracted to deliver the medical assessments, are now returning reports, on average, within a month. There was a backlog here but this has recently been sorted out.
	The employment history can be agreed before medical assessment, but where this is not possible, agreement has to be reached after the medical report has been received before a claim can be validated.
	The employment history details the collieries and jobs that a miner worked in. It is established using any available work records and the statements from the claimant. The time taken to agree these histories with solicitors varies widely from case to case and an average timescale is not available.

Oldbury Nuclear Power Station

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the anticipated lifetime is of Oldbury nuclear power station; and what the anticipated peak weight loss is of graphite in major locations in the reactor core at Oldbury by the time it reaches its planned lifetime.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 10 July 2001
	I understand that the anticipated operational lifetime of Oldbury nuclear power station is 40 years, i.e. until 2008. However, this is subject to BNFL maintaining the high safety standards at Oldbury required by the HSE's nuclear installations inspectorate and to any operational review by BNFL.
	I am awaiting advice on the technically complex issue of graphite weight loss. I will write to my hon. Friend on this in due course.

Post Office

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average annual closure rate of sub-post offices (a) in 1997 to 2001 and (b) between 1979 and 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 25 June 2001
	Taking into account conversions of Crown offices to agency offices, which are then classified as sub-post offices, the net annual average rate of sub-post office closures from March 1979 to March 1997 was 196, and from March 1997 to March 2001 it was 351.

Post Office

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the guidance, regulations and circulars relating to the levels of service which the Post Office must maintain in rural areas.

Douglas Alexander: Copies of the licence granted to Consignia plc on 23 March 2001 by the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) by virtue of section 11 of the Postal Services Act 2000 were placed in the Library of the House in April. Section 4 of the Postal Services Act 2000 lays down the statutory minimum service which must be provided for the universal postal service in the United Kingdom.
	I am placing in the Library of the House copies of Postcomm's direction designating exceptional conditions and circumstances (relating to the universal postal service) under condition 1 of Consignia plc's licence.

Employment Agencies

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means recruitment companies will be advised of proposed changes to regulations relating to the industry to be introduced in the next five years.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 11 July 2001
	The Department makes information on changes to regulations available on its website, www.dti.gov.uk, and is also in regular contact with the main recruitment industry bodies.

Employment Agencies

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact on smaller recruitment companies of the proposed new regulations contained in the draft Employment Agencies Bill;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure that smaller private recruitment companies are not financially disadvantaged by the proposals in the temporary agency work directives.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 11 July 2001
	A regulatory impact assessment on the proposed new employment agency regulations has been produced and published on my Department's website. This considers the impact on small firms, and concludes that the proposed changes affect small and large firms equally.
	A draft European directive on temporary agency work is expected to be issued by the European Commission in the autumn. The Government will work to ensure that any such proposal supports the promotion of employment and does not reduce labour market flexibility or restrict the activities of recruitment companies whatever their size.

Employment Agencies

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the definition of quarantine period is in the draft Employment Agencies Bill regulations; and if she will set out the reasons for proposing this measure.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 11 July 2001
	"Quarantine period" is a term used (though not in the regulations themselves) to describe the period following the ending of a hiring during which conditions (such as payment of a transfer fee) may be imposed when a temporary worker takes up permanent employment with the hirer or some other person. Under the current draft regulations, this period is 14 weeks from the start of the hire or eight weeks from the end, whichever is the later, where permanent employment is taken up with the hirer. Where the worker takes up work with another person (including another agency) the period is four weeks from the end of the hire. The Government believe that onerous restrictions on transfers, such as high transfer fees, restrict labour market flexibility and competition, and act as a disincentive to workers taking up permanent employment. The use of a "quarantine period" was suggested by the recruitment industry, as an alternative to restrictions on transfer fees as such.

Employment Agencies

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reintroduce licensing and the monitoring of the work of private recruitment agencies; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 11 July 2001
	The Government have no plans to reintroduce licensing of recruitment agencies. They are monitored by my Department's employment agency standards inspectorate, which receives approximately 12,000 calls a year, and carries out full investigations in 1,200 cases. This ensures that resources are targeted on the relatively small number of agencies who break the rules or exploit clients or workers.

Employment Agencies

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the prospects for small private recruitment companies over the next five years.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 11 July 2001
	The recruitment industry—a large part of which consists of small companies—is an important and successful part of the labour market, as shown by recent growth in turnover of 28 per cent. a year, and we expect it to continue to thrive.

Renewable Energy

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list, by source, the targets for renewable energy by (a) 2003, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Government have proposed targets of obtaining 5 per cent. of our electricity from renewable sources by 2003 and 10 per cent. by 2010, subject to the cost to consumers being acceptable. No target has been set for 2005.
	We are very reliant on the old support mechanism, the non-fossil fuel obligation, for the deployment of renewables up to 2003. The new renewables obligation will be the main driver towards achieving our 2010 target.
	The renewables obligation is a market-led approach and we will not be specifying percentage targets to be achieved by particular renewable energy technologies. By 2010, however, we envisage strong contributions from offshore wind and energy crops as well as from more established technologies.

Trawlermen (Compensation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications there have been for compensation from former Icelandic waters trawlermen which have been (a) successful, (b) unsuccessful, (c) put on hold and (d) which are pending a decision for each region and nation of the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: At 6 July 2001, 1,710 claims made under the compensation scheme had received payments. Some 3,344 claims had been assessed as unsuccessful, 905 were on hold pending consideration of representations that there should be changes in the rules for those who continued fishing on former Icelandic water trawlers after 1979 and work was in progress on a further 2,016 claims. The following table gives a breakdown of successful claims by area. There are no corresponding figures for unsuccessful and other claims.
	
		
			 Area Number of successful claims 
		
		
			 Hull 848 
			 Grimsby 206 
			 Fleetwood 174 
			 Blackpool 27 
			 Cleethorpes 53 
			 Newcastle 151 
			 West Yorkshire 86 
			 Aberdeen 19 
			 All others 146

Trawlermen (Compensation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from fishermen from the north and north-east of Scotland about compensation awards made to former Icelandic waters trawlermen from Scotland.

Nigel Griffiths: I have received numerous pieces of correspondence from former fishermen from the north and north-east of Scotland in connection with claims under the Government's compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen.

Trawlermen (Compensation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the appeals procedure is for former Icelandic waters trawlermen who have their requests for compensation rejected; and what the success rate is for such appeals for each nation and region of the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: Any former trawlerman whose claim is either rejected, or who considers that the amount of compensation received is incorrect, can apply, in the first instance, to the assistant director of the employment relations directorate responsible for the operation of the scheme for a review of the decision. If he is still not satisfied with the outcome, he can appeal to the independent adjudicator appointed for the scheme.
	Ten appeals have been submitted to the independent adjudicator so far. One has been upheld, four disallowed and five are still under consideration. All are from the north-east. None of the appeals dealt with so far by the independent adjudicator has been from Scotland or Wales.

Trawlermen (Compensation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of former Icelandic waters trawlermen who are eligible for compensation but who have not yet applied from each region and nation of the UK;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the geographical distribution of applications from former Icelandic waters trawlermen; and what steps she will take to encourage applications from all parts of the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen has been well publicised in the main port areas throughout the United Kingdom through the port MPs and the British fishermen's associations. Payments under the scheme are available by area, but there is no similar analysis of all applications.
	As a result of the widespread publicity, I believe that most former trawlermen who are eligible for compensation under the scheme have already submitted claims. Applications can be submitted until 1 October 2002.

Irish Sea (Pollution)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the pollution incidents involving discharges above 0.01 tonnes in the Irish Sea since 9 January to the present, indicating the date, size of incident, name of company reporting the spill and the name of the company responsible in each case.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 9 July 2001
	The information relating to oil spill incidents in the Irish sea basin, reported to the Department of Trade and Industry, from 9 January 2001 to the present date is as follows:
	Date: 4 February 2001
	Amount (tonnes): 0.1
	Reported by: BHP
	Company responsible: BHP.
	DTI only receives reports for oil spills reported from or attributed to offshore installations.

Information Technology Industry

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what measures her Department has taken to ensure that United States law does not affect trade in software in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what action she has taken in respect of the impact of US legislation on trade in information technology on the UK; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what complaints relating to breaches of (a) UK law and (b) international law in the field of information technology her Department has received in the past year; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what notice has been given to her Department in the last six months of breaches of UK law relating to the information technology industry; and if she will make a statement on her policy on this subject.

Douglas Alexander: My Department is responsible for a wide range of areas on information technology. I would ask the hon. Member to write to me indicating his specific areas of concern.

Gas Prices

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made with the inquiry into non-domestic gas prices.

Brian Wilson: There has been no formal inquiry into gas prices. However, a key part of the Government's strategy to address the problem of high gas prices is to take action against any anti-competitive behaviour. At the Government's request, the EU Commission is conducting an inquiry into the operation of the UK-Belgium interconnector.
	Meanwhile, DTI, Ofgem and OFT continue to monitor the market closely. Ofgem and OFT have strong powers under the Competition Act 1998 to act against anti- competitive behaviour if necessary.

Innovation

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives she intends to take to support innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 13 June a review of all DTI business support schemes, and I cannot pre-empt the results of that review.
	In the meantime—through its agency, the Small Business Service—the DTI is continuing to support innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with schemes such as Smart and TCS. Smart helps SMEs fund research and development into innovative products and processes, or buy external consultancy to improve their use and exploitation of technology, while TCS helps businesses access the knowledge and expertise available in universities, higher education institutions and research organisations.
	The DTI also worked with the Treasury on the introduction last year of the research and development tax credit for SMEs, to help meet the costs of developing innovations.

Export Licences (Israel)

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 88W, on export licences (Israel), what was the nature of the end use restrictions of the two SIELs granted between 1 January and 31 May.

Nigel Griffiths: Licences for items rated "End-use" do not usually have provisos or restrictions placed on them other than the standard conditions. I can confirm that there were no additional restrictions placed on these two licences. The rating "End Use" covers items that do not normally require an export licence but are subject to control because the exporter has been told or knows or suspects that the items would or might be used in activities connected with weapons of mass destruction or missiles for their delivery. This is a dual-use rating under Council regulation (EC) No. 1334/2000.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will revise estimates of emissions of carbon dioxide from the electricity sector to take account of changes (a) in operational management of centralised power stations and (b) since the start of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: Actual CO 2 emissions from the electricity generation sector since the start of the new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) are not yet available. Government projections of emissions were last published in November 2000 as energy paper 68 1 . These are long-term projections, which we see no reason to revise at this stage. We do not, as yet, have sufficient information (including the generation fuel mix) to assess any resulting changes in the electricity sector. In any event, we are still in the early days of NETA and generator behaviour in response to the new arrangements is unlikely to have settled down. There have been particular issues regarding the impact of NETA on renewables and CHP, on which Ofgem will shortly be publishing a report.
	1 Energy Projections for the UK, 2000–20. Energy Paper 68. Published November 2000.

Wind Farms

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence about the development of wind farms within the operational low flying tactical training areas; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 12 July 2001
	Ministers in the two Departments discussed the issue of wind farms in May and this has been followed by meetings with officials. Both Departments are working closely together to co-ordinate policy so that we can successfully balance our efforts to address the needs of renewable energy, while ensuring that defence concerns are properly taken into account.

NIREX

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the findings of the internal investigation by NIREX into allegations of mismanagement.

Brian Wilson: I welcome the commendable efforts which NIREX has made to address the criticisms levelled against it, and its intention to adopt more positive policies in the future. This investigation is an important part of those efforts and I have placed a copy of the report in the Libraries of both Houses.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints her Department has received about unlicensed broadcasting stations in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The Radiocommunications Agency has no centrally held figures for 1996, 1997 and the first quarter of 1998. On 1 April 1998, the agency's pirate radio reporting point started recording specific complaints about pirate radio interference in keeping with the provisions of the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996. The figures for 1 April to 31 December 1998 and 1999–2000 are as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1998 83 
			 1999 150 
			 2000 187 
		
	
	The number of complaints received in 2001 stands at 148 as at 13 July.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of unlicensed broadcasting stations operating in the United Kingdom.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The Radiocommunications Agency, which is responsible for taking action against pirate radio stations, undertook operations against 231 identified stations in 2000.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many seizures of equipment from the Voice of Africa pirate radio station have been made.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	Radiocommunications Agency staff undertook 13 operations against the Voice of Africa in 2000 and six so far this year, with equipment seized on each occasion.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the deterrent effect of penalties available for unlicensed broadcasting.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The maximum penalties on indictment for unlicensed broadcasting under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 are up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The actual penalties are for the courts to determine.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many convictions of unlicensed broadcasting stations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 have been obtained in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The number of convictions secured by the Radiocommunications Agency against persons for unlicensed broadcasting in the last five years is:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1996 28 
			 1997 41 
			 1998 53 
			 1999 47 
			 2000 41

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have been undertaken against unlicensed broadcasting stations in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The number of prosecutions undertaken by the Radiocommunications Agency against persons for unlicensed broadcasting in the last five years is:
	
		
			 Year  Number 
		
		
			 1996 28 
			 1997 41 
			 1998 53 
			 1999 47 
			 2000 41

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints her Department has received about unlicensed broadcasting by Voice of Africa.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The Radiocommunications Agency has received four complaints addressed to headquarters and one to its London regional office about interference caused by Voice of Africa. All the complaints have been by an authorised broadcaster.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many seizures of equipment from unlicensed broadcasters have taken place in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The number of equipment seizures by Radiocommunications Agency staff from pirate broadcasters in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1996 842 
			 1997 820 
			 1998 928 
			 1999 1,414 
			 2000 1,494 
		
	
	The figure for seizures of equipment in 2001 stands at 801 as at 29 June.

Unlicensed Broadcasting

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been (a) the maximum and (b) the average fine imposed by the courts for unlicensed broadcasting in breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 over the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 July 2001
	The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Year £ maximum Average 
		
		
			 1996 400 350 
			 1997 500 272 
			 1998 750 452 
			 1999 500 193 
			 2000 1,400 317 
		
	
	In addition to fines, the courts have also awarded periods of community service and terms of imprisonment to those convicted of unlicensed broadcasting.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Knowledge Network

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps were taken to ensure that the information collected under the Knowledge Network Project was not used for party political campaigning in the 2001 general election; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Access to Knowledge Network by Ministers and special advisers was suspended during the general election period. Full written guidance was circulated to all Departments to ensure that the system could not be misused for party political purposes. All Departments implemented this guidance and a copy was placed in the Libraries of the House.

Knowledge Network

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will (a) list by subject the statistics that have been collected for the first time at constituency level under the Knowledge Network Project, stating in each case the date on which the first in the series was completed and (b) place a copy of the most recent of each set of statistics listed in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: No statistics have been collected for the first time at constituency level specifically for the Knowledge Network Project. All statistics used have been taken from existing publicly available Government sources, with collation at the existing operational level.

WALES

Inward Investment

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the size of the Welsh manufacturing work force employed by foreign investors who have chosen Wales (a) as a centre for operations in the single market and (b) for other reasons.

Paul Murphy: In 1997, the most recent year for which figures are available, employment in private sector enterprises of foreign nationality in Wales, classified as "manufacturing" was 53,100. No breakdown is available of the reasons for locating these jobs in Wales. However, several companies have publicly cited the quality of the Welsh work force, their reliability and eagerness to develop new skills, as important considerations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Western Sahara

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recommendations that United Nations Special Envoy James Baker has recently made regarding the future of western Sahara.

Ben Bradshaw: We supported UN Security Council Resolution 1359 which was passed unanimously on 29 June 2001 and which extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 November 2001. This resolution reiterated full support for the ongoing efforts of MINURSO to implement the Settlement Plan and agreements by the parties to hold a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people of the western Sahara. It also reaffirmed our commitment to achieve a just and lasting solution to the question of western Sahara. We fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to invite all the parties to meet directly or through proximity talks, under the auspices of his Personal Envoy James Baker, to discuss the draft Framework Agreement and to negotiate any specific changes they would like to see in this proposal, as well as to discuss any other proposal for a political solution, to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement.

China

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the factors underlying China's increased defence spending.

Denis MacShane: On 6 March, China announced a 17.7 per cent. increase in defence spending, bringing the total to US$17.07 billion. Two reasons were given: the need to improve pay and conditions, and the need to strengthen high technology capabilities. Chinese official figures give little indication of total military spending, though we estimate that spending remains low as a percentage of GDP. China is committed to military modernisation, but economic development remains the overriding national priority.

European Court of Human Rights

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the case load of the European Court of Human Rights, including registered applications; what was the average time between a case being referred to the European Court of Human Rights and judgment in the last three years; what monetary contribution the UK Government make towards the expenditure of the European Court of Human Rights; and whether the budgeting expenditure for the European Court of Human Rights is sufficient to enable the Court to determine cases within the two year time limit set down by the Court.

Denis MacShane: Figures provided by the Court's Registry indicate that the case load is 17,329 as of March 2001 and the average time between referral of a case and judgment is approximately three years. The Court aspires to reduce this to two years, but the set limit remains three years. This limit has been exceeded in about one third of the applications pending. The Court's budget is an integral part of the Council of Europe budget, of which the UK share is 12.7 per cent. In 2001, some £2 million of the UK total contribution went to the Court. HMG are actively supporting the work of the Evaluation Group which has been established to consider all potential means to guarantee the Court's continued effectiveness in the face of rapid growth in the number of applications to it. The Group's recommendations, due in September, are likely to include proposals requiring an increase in the Court's budget.

Loizidou Case

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to ensure compliance by Turkey with its obligations in the Loizidou case following the resolution of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers of 26 June. [R]

Peter Hain: We supported the interim resolution of 26 June calling on Turkey to respect the European Court of Human Rights' decision in the Loizidou case. We deplore the fact that Turkey has not yet complied with the judgment and will continue regularly and strongly to remind them of the need to do so both bilaterally and in the Council of Europe.

Visa Case

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the application for an interview from Miss Mae I. Copitco, a Filipino national born on 9 May 1971 for an interview in respect of her application to join her husband Mr. Marcus Cottham in the UK will be considered; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not our practice to disclose details of individual visa cases in a public forum. The Joint Entry Clearance Unit will write to the hon. Member in the next few days.

UN Voting

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many votes have taken place at the (a) UN General Assembly and (b) UN Security Council since 1 January; and of those, on how many occasions the United Kingdom cast its vote, including by abstaining, for the same outcome as the United States.

Peter Hain: Since 1 January 2001 the UN General Assembly has adopted 38 resolutions without a vote. The only recorded vote on a resolution in this period was on 14 June 2001 on resolution A/RES/55/180B on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The outcome was 115 votes in favour (including the UK), three against (including the United States) and nine abstentions.
	In the same period, the UN Security Council has adopted 27 resolutions. 25 of these were adopted unanimously, one without a vote and one by acclamation.
	The one occasion when the Security Council's vote was split was on 27 March 2001 when the United States vetoed a draft resolution on the situation in the middle east. The United Kingdom abstained on this draft resolution.

"Your Britain, Your Europe, Your Wales"

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what independent survey is referred to in his Department's document, "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your Wales".

Peter Hain: The document refers to an independent survey entitled "Out of Europe, Out of Work" produced in February 2000 by Professor Ian Begg, Professor of International Economics at the European Institute, South Bank University.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Youth Justice Board

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Youth Justice Board will publish its annual review.

Beverley Hughes: The Youth Justice Board annual review is published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The Youth Justice Board was established to spearhead the reforms to the youth justice system in 1998 by Crime and Disorder Act. The review shows a year of delivering change. A new system for preventing youth crime is in place, progress in delivering the Government's pledge on delays, with a nine week reduction in the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders and robust new sentences for young offenders.

Prison Service

James Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress the Prison Service has made towards improving its environmental performance; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Prison Service is making good progress in this area. A formal greening operations policy was introduced in March 2000, the implementation of which is being overseen by a headquarters working group chaired by a member of the Prison Service management board.
	During the last year, there have been many developments in areas such as biodiversity, energy efficiency, procurement, transport and waste management. These are described in the service's first annual environmental report which is published today, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	The Director General of the Prison Service has made clear his own personal commitment to improving the environmental performance of the service and a challenging programme of further work—detailed in the report—has been set for the current year.

Commission for Racial Equality

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Commission for Racial Equality's annual report for 2000.

David Blunkett: The Commission for Racial Equality's annual report 2000 is published today.
	I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library and for copies to be sent to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

Stops and Searches

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the effect on the level of police paperwork of the requirement to record all stops and searches; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: Since the introduction of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, code of practice (A) on stop and search, all stops and searches carried out under any legislative provision have been recorded. In 1999–2000, 818,203 such stops and searches were recorded.
	Stops and searches under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 are not included in the above figure and are recorded separately. There were 7,153 such searches in 1999–2000.
	Since code of practice (A) was last revised in 1999, the Lawrence steering group set up to take forward the Home Secretary's action plan in response to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report, has agreed that all persons searched should be given a copy of the record at the time of the search together with information on police powers and public rights. This does not represent an extra recording requirement and simply means that the record is routinely made available at the time of the search rather than within 12 months as was previously the practice. The group agreed that this should also apply where stops are carried out without there being any subsequent search because grounds for suspicion are eliminated as a result of questioning the person detained. It is not possible to predict exactly how many extra records this might entail, but it is not likely to be significant in terms of the overall number of records. Chief constables were requested to implement those new arrangements from 1 April 2001.
	We are also considering whether to accept recommendation 61 of the Lawrence inquiry that all stops should be recorded, whether or not a search takes place. A public consultation exercise on that by local police authorities, co-ordinated by the Association of Police Authorities, finished at the end of May. I expect the Lawrence steering group to consider the results of that consultation exercise in July.

MI5

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of MI5 employees have been instigated in each year since 1980 for crimes where the maximum sentence is six months imprisonment or greater.

David Blunkett: holding answer 10 July 2001
	As far as is known, one, in 1983.

MI5

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of employees within MI5 are (a) of ethnic minority origin and (b) female; and what percentage apply within the senior grades, (i) for the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) for 1990.

David Blunkett: holding answer 10 July 2001
	Currently, 3.2 per cent. of employees of the Security Service are of ethnic origin, that is, not white European; all equivalent of senior civil service grades are white.
	Females represent 46.6 per cent. of employees of the Security Service; and represent 13.8 per cent. at the equivalent of senior civil service grades.

James Ashley

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make arrangements for the Hoddinott report into the fatal shooting of James Ashley to be published.

John Denham: The report by Sir John Hoddinott was into the conduct of the chief officers in charge of the operation which led to the fatal shooting of James Ashley. The report is the property of Sussex police authority and it must be their decision to publish. I met my hon. Friend and members of the Ashley family on 4 July. At the meeting I said that we would use our best endeavours to encourage the police authority to publish as much as possible, bearing in mind that the report contains confidential information that will need to be subject to considered legal advice, and the need to ensure there is no adverse impact on other proceedings.

Asylum Seekers

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government determined that family groups of asylum seekers would be treated on arrival in the UK as one person and as individuals when departing in statistics on asylum seekers; and how this decision was published.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 4 July 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdescombe) on 4 July 2001, Official Report, column 206W.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on assisting people seeking asylum appeals who do not have the finance for the payment of legal representatives to assist them in the presentation of their case; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The Home Office currently provides grant-in-aid under section 81 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to three voluntary organisations: the immigration advisory service, the refugee legal centre, and the law centre (Northern Ireland). They provide free legal advice and representation to those with rights of appeal under the Act including asylum seekers. Additional funding for this purpose is also available in England and Wales in the form of franchised contracts awarded under the community legal scheme, which is administered by the Legal Services Commission (which replaced the Legal Aid Board).

Asylum Seekers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current weekly unit cost of housing an asylum seeker in Oakington detention centre; and what proportion of that cost is accounted for by (a) IND staff and related costs, (b) supervisory and care staff and related costs and (c) security staff and related costs.

Angela Eagle: The current weekly unit cost of housing an asylum seeker at Oakington, based on an average occupancy of 229 in June, is estimated at £1,203. This can be broken down into the immigration and nationality directorate (IND) staff and related costs of £184 and supervisory, care and security staff and related costs of £745. (The balance is attributable to other running costs, primarily the costs of interpreters and accommodation). The unit cost is subject to variation because of changes in occupancy.
	The contract for the management and operation of the establishment does not disaggregate costs for each element of the service so it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested.

Young Offenders

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) juveniles and (b) young offenders are covered by probation orders; what the average (i) length of such orders and (ii) frequency of contact with a designated probation officer is, for each of the last 12 months; how many breaches there have been of such orders; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The number of juveniles 1 starting community rehabilitation orders (formerly probation orders) in 1999, supervised by the Probation Service, was 2,443; the number of young offenders 2 starting community rehabilitation orders in 1999, supervised by the Probation Service, was 9,772.
	The average length of community rehabilitation orders starting in 1999 was 14.99 months for juveniles and 16.25 months for young offenders.
	In 1999, breach proceedings were taken in court against 306 juveniles and 2,359 young offenders on community rehabilitation orders for failure to comply with their orders.
	National standards require at least 12 appointments within the first 12 weeks of supervision, normally once a week and one of which will be a home visit. A minimum of six appointments is required over the following 12 weeks, and thereafter contact should be no less than monthly.
	1 Offenders aged 16 to 17.
	2 Offenders aged 18 to 20.

Passports

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the UK Passport Agency's criteria are for deciding to undertake a security check on a passport application.

Angela Eagle: All passport applications are examined to establish the identity and eligibility on nationality grounds of the applicant. The guidance notes with application forms explain this and set out what evidence is required. Further checks are made if identity and nationality cannot be satisfactorily established from the evidence sent with the application. In addition, a random sample of examined applications is re-checked before the passport is issued, as part of the United Kingdom Passport Service's quality assurance procedures.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Sailing

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote the sport of sailing.

Richard Caborn: The Sports Councils—UK Sport and Sport England—continue to work with the governing body to develop the sport at every level. To date, the national governing body of sailing has received Exchequer support of £1.9 million, and lottery support of £6.9 millions for its world class Programmes. In addition awards of £32.9 million have been made to sailing organisations in support of 142 capital projects.

Local Museums

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to promote local museums.

Kim Howells: The Government encourage the development of local museums through the work of Resource and through the development of our cultural policies. Resource are now leading a taskforce to consider the issues facing regional museums and to make recommendations about their sustainability.
	We have also allocated £10 million per annum to Resource starting next year to enable them to support regional collections.

Local Authority Lottery Liaison Officers

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement concerning relations between her Department and lottery liaison officers employed by local authorities.

Richard Caborn: The Government are keen to see all areas of low take-up receiving their fair share of lottery funding. This will not happen overnight, but is an important priority for distributors. I understand that since being designated a priority area, north-east Derbyshire has received increased funding from the community fund.

Lottery Funding (Thurrock)

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to meet Camelot to discuss their ability to deliver their projected level of funding for good causes.

Tessa Jowell: I met Camelot on 12 July. We discussed a range of issues, including income for good causes under the new licence period.

Media Ownership

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to introduce legislation to deal with cross-ownership in the media.

Kim Howells: The White Paper, "A New Future for Communications" asked for comments on how we might reform the cross media regime. We are currently considering the responses. The Government will publish details of their proposals in a draft Bill as announced in the Queen's Speech.

Licensing Laws

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to reform the liquor licensing laws.

Kim Howells: We remain committed to bringing forward legislation, as announced on 2 May, when parliamentary time allows.

Cricket Matches (Crowd Violence)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the problems of crowd violence at cricket matches.

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to hold further meetings with the cricketing authorities to discuss the disturbances during the recent triangular one-day international tournament.

Richard Caborn: The Minister of State, Home Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham) and I met the cricket authorities on 27 June. Following that meeting, a review group has been appointed to consider recent disorder at cricket matches and to recommend measures for ensuring the safety of spectators and players. The group includes Government officials and representatives of the cricket authorities, the police, and the Football Licensing Authority. I expect it to report by mid-August.

Digital Broadcasting

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the take-up of digital services for (a) Wales and (b) England.

Tessa Jowell: From the figures declared by the service providers, we estimate that over 31 per cent. of households in the United Kingdom have taken up digital television services. We do not have a breakdown of take-up figures by country.

Tourism Industry (Foot and Mouth)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of foot and mouth disease on domestic tourism.

Kim Howells: Our best estimate to date is that the loss of revenue in 2001–02 by the English tourist industry is likely to be around £120 million per week averaged over the eight month tourism season (the impact in subsequent years has not yet been estimated). We are currently revising the model on which this is based in the light of the latest available data.

Lottery Funding

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to reform the criteria for distributing national lottery funding.

Richard Caborn: The criteria that are used for determining awards from national lottery funds are a matter for the lottery distributors. The criteria vary from distributor to distributor and from funding programme to funding programme. They are based on financial and policy directions which the Government issued to lottery distributors, and also on distributors' own policies and strategic plans.

Lottery Funding

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list those major millennium projects which have applied for additional national lottery funding, indicating the sum requested, the reasons given for this request and the amount of extra funding allocated in each case.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Arts Festivals

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support is available from her Department for town and city arts festivals.

Tessa Jowell: There are several programmes run by the Arts Council of England and the Regional Arts Boards to which those organising town or city festivals can apply, including the regional arts lottery programme. The National Foundation for Youth Music's music maker scheme also supports arts festivals.
	So far, a total of £10,870,781 of lottery funds has been awarded to town and city festivals by the Arts Council, the National Foundation for Youth Music and the Regional Arts Boards.

Millennium Dome

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money the millennium dome has received from the national lottery.

Kim Howells: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has received a national lottery grant of £628 million for the millennium experience at Greenwich and for its associated national programme of events and activities.

Millennium Dome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had since 15 February with (a) Mr. Robert Bourne and (b) his associated parties regarding the future of the dome.

Tessa Jowell: I have had no discussions with Mr. Robert Bourne or his associated parties regarding the future of the dome.

Millennium Dome

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how much money was allocated to NMEC Ltd. during 2000 by the Millennium Commission; and from which of the Commission's budgets this sum was drawn;
	(2)  from what date the Millennium Commission set aside reserve funds as a contingency against the financial problems of the dome; how much was set aside; and from which budgets those funds were drawn;
	(3)  for what purpose the money set aside by the Millennium Commission for unforeseen contingencies and unforeseen costs of the dome was used;
	(4)  what budget was set aside by the Millennium Commission for 2000 for other good causes, excluding the dome; and what proportion of this sum was spent on such projects;
	(5)  what was the total value of grant applications turned down by the Millennium Commission during (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and how many applications were refused during this period;
	(6)  what was the sum total of all funds paid by the Millennium Commission to (a) NMEC Ltd. and (b) other organisations involved in the design, construction, management and decommissioning of the dome; and what were the total amounts authorised for these purposes by Parliament.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Ministerial Briefings (Sport)

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve the arrangements for the provision of briefing material to Ministers on subjects related to sport.

Richard Caborn: Ministers receive briefing materials on sport from the Government's expert advisers in the sports councils and from a variety of other sources, including many governing bodies of sport. I have found the arrangements for briefing to be satisfactory.

Lottery Funding (Rugby League)

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on national lottery support for rugby league.

Tessa Jowell: To date, Sport England has made national lottery awards to rugby league of £1,972,347, to support the national governing body's world class programmes, and £7,918,139 in support of 28 capital projects.

British Lions (Broadcasting)

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to extend the provision for British Lions rugby tours to be broadcast on terrestrial television.

Richard Caborn: The list of events of major importance to society protected under part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996 was last reviewed in 1998. Following wide consultation and the recommendations of an advisory group chaired by Lord Gordon of Strathblane, the Secretary of State extended the list to include the most prestigious events in rugby union—the rugby world cup final and the six nations tournament. The Government have no immediate plans to review the list again.

Lottery Funding (Coalfield Areas)

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to target Lottery money on former coalfield areas.

Richard Caborn: My Department and lottery distributors commissioned research into the impact of the lottery on the coalfields and we are working with coalfield groups to take forward the report's recommendations. I shall report on progress later in the year.

Regional Theatres

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her plans to increase funding for regional theatres.

Tessa Jowell: This remains a matter for the Arts Council of England and the Regional Arts Boards. The Arts Council has already announced significant additional funding for theatre from 2002–03 including a 91 per cent. increase for Sheffield theatres by 2003–04, the end of the current planning cycle.

Regional Theatres

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the current deficit of regional theatres in receipt of public funds; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The estimated deficit was £2.3 million as at the end of March 2001.

Summer Play Schemes

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department gives to summer play schemes.

Tessa Jowell: DCMS does not fund summer play-schemes; our support for children's play focuses on funding the development of playworker training, research into the provision of children's play and the funding of the national children's play information service. I certainly see enormous potential for enrichment activities for young people to take place during the school holidays and commend the work which many local authorities already do in this area.

Local Authority (Arts and Museums) Funding

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the level of local authority funding for (a) the arts and (b) museums in each of the last four years.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the local authority expenditure table on page 218 of the Department's annual report 2001, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The report can also be accessed via the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk
	Expenditure is classified as "museums and galleries" and as "arts activities and facilities (including Theatres)" for capital expenditure and "other culture and heritage" for current expenditure. These figures under the headings are:
	
		£ million 
		
			  Current Capital 
		
		
			 Museums and galleries   
			 1997–98 138 31 
			 1998–99 125 34 
			 1999–2000 141 45 
			 2000–01(3) 169 50 
			  Arts activities and facilities (including Theatres) 
			 1997–98 — 67 
			 1998–99 — 76 
			 1999–2000 — 96 
			 2000–01(3) — 109 
			 Other culture and heritage   
			 1997–98 128 — 
			 1998–99 131 — 
			 1999–2000 148 — 
			 2000–01(3) 178 — 
		
	
	(3) Estimated

BBC Digital Services

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she has taken to ensure transparency and public accountability in the process of determining approvals for proposed new BBC digital services.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 July 2001
	The criteria against which I will be considering the BBC's new digital services are set out in the Department's guidelines for assessing BBC public service proposals; these include a requirement for interested parties to be consulted so that their representations can be taken into account. The guidelines were published on 10 January. Copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

BBC Digital Services

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the effect on the level of take up of digital television of proposed new BBC digital services.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 July 2001
	I am in the process of considering all relevant aspects of the BBC's new digital service proposals and responses to the Government's consultation on these.

BBC Digital Services

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evidence she has received from the BBC that the Corporation's proposed new digital services will enhance the take up of digital television.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 July 2001
	The BBC state, in their application and the additional information supplied in May (available on the DCMS website), that their evidence (eg their consultation report) bears out the report submitted to the Licence Fee Review Panel in 1999. This report concluded that licence fee funded digital services have the potential of significantly increasing digital take up.

BBC Digital Services

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to announce her decision on the applications of the BBC to run (a) a new children's television channel and (b) Network Z.

Kim Howells: The consultation period for the new BBC digital services proposals has been extended to 27 July. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State therefore hopes to be able to make an announcement about her decision in late August/early September.

Analogue Television

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 73W, on analogue television, when she will publish a strategic plan which will lead to the United Kingdom meeting the criteria for the switch off of analogue terrestrial television broadcasts.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 9 July 2001
	The White Paper, "Opportunities for All in a World of Change", outlined the Government's commitment to working with key players in the public and private sector to develop a comprehensive action plan to maximise the benefits and public information about those benefits of digital television by December 2001.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last travelled on the London Underground in the course of her official duties.

Tessa Jowell: I have not travelled on the London Underground in the course of my official duties since my appointment on 8 June.

Public Bodies (Reviews)

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to undertake reviews of the public lending right and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Tessa Jowell: As part of the Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts is today announcing that this summer we will be starting reviews of the Public Lending Right and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.
	The reviews will include an evaluation of the role and functions of these bodies and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which they deliver services to their users. We estimate that the reviews will be completed next spring. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Hinduja Brothers

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what payment has been received by NMEC from the Hinduja brothers to cover the value-added tax due in connection with their donation to the Faith Zone of the Millennium Dome.

Kim Howells: It was NMEC's responsibility to account to Customs and Excise for value added tax in respect of the contribution by the Hinduja Foundation to the Faith Zone of the Millennium Dome, which NMEC has done. NMEC has advised that it has not received, and does not expect to receive, any further payment from the foundation in relation to this.

Digital Radio

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she intends to introduce to ensure plurality of voice in digital radio broadcasting.

Kim Howells: The Government published their proposals for the future of radio broadcasting in the White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", last December. Those proposals included a firm commitment to maintain plurality in a period of media convergence—allowing listeners a choice between different providers with different editorial styles and opinions. My Department, along with the Department of Trade and Industry, has consulted widely on the proposals and ideas set out in the White Paper; we are now carefully considering all the responses. A draft Bill will be available early next year for further consultation on more detailed proposals.

S4C

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 448W, on S4C, if she will make a statement clarifying the definitions of (a) estimated weekly reach and (b) weekly viewing figures.

Kim Howells: S4C's weekly reach is defined as the number of people estimated to have viewed at least three minutes or more uninterrupted of S4C's programmes during any given week. The figure is normally expressed as a percentage of the total number of people in Wales aged four or above able to receive S4C in their homes. The average weekly reach over the year as a whole provides the basis for the weekly viewing figures which are published in S4C's annual report.

Lottery Grants (Library Buildings)

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to allow libraries to bid to the national lottery heritage fund for improvements to their buildings.

Kim Howells: Decisions on funding priorities are a matter for the trustees of the heritage lottery fund, within the broad framework of their statutory powers and the policy directions set by the Government. The heritage lottery fund supports library collections and archives of historical importance but does not fund repairs or improvements to buildings that are normally the responsibility of local authorities. To date, the heritage lottery fund has awarded over £109 million to library and archive projects.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Butterflies

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of changes in the numbers of butterflies in British resident species which have (a) become extinct in recent years and (b) suffered major declines in numbers.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 9 July 2001
	On the 54 species of butterfly resident in the UK, more than half are undergoing declines in their populations and distributions. The recently published Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland gives fresh information on which to base new assessments of conservation priorities. The atlas gives us particular cause for concern over five species which have each suffered a more than 50 per cent. loss of range over the last twenty years. These are the High Brown Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Wood White and Large Heath Butterfly. No species have become extinct in the last decade.
	Conservation action is underway through Biodiversity Action Plans for a number of butterfly and moth species that set objectives and targets to maintain and, where possible, enhance and restore populations. Six species of butterfly are also fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with a further 19 species protected against trade.

Waste Management

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recommendations contained within the Fifth report of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 2000–01; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 13 July 2001
	We expect to publish the Government's response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee report on Sustainable Waste Management shortly.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what indicators the Government use to monitor progress in implementing its strategy for sustainable development; what progress has been made to date; how her Department plans to improve its strategy for sustainable development in the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 13 July 2001
	The Government's sustainable development strategy, "A better quality of life", (Cm 4345) makes clear that headline indicators will be used to measure progress towards sustainable development. There are fifteen headline indicators, covering economic, social and environmental factors. The Government's aim is for all the headline indicators to move in the right direction over time, or, where a satisfactory level has been reached, to prevent a reversal. Where a trend is unacceptable, the Government will adjust policies accordingly, and will look to others to join them in taking action.
	The strategy commits the Government to report annually on the headline indicators and on action taken or proposed in priority areas. The first annual report—"Achieving a better quality of life"—was published in January 2001. The report makes clear that one year's data do not constitute a trend but that there was evidence of improvement in many of the indicators, across all three aspects of sustainable development.
	The Government will continue to report on an annual basis, and is committed to a full review of the strategy after five years (in 2004).

G M Maize Trial (New Farm, Walston)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the proposed planting of genetically modified seed on New Farm, Walston, Coventry.

Michael Meacher: The proposed Farm Scale Evaluation site of Genetically Modified maize at Wolston was withdrawn by the farming and biotechnology industry body SCIMAC on 21 May 2001 in response to my request. I had asked them to reconsider the use of this site, as publicity surrounding its proximity to the Ryton Organic Gardens was potentially damaging to public confidence in the farm scale research programme as a whole.
	In withdrawing the site, SCIMAC noted that the Soil Association had confirmed that, as the nearest boundary of Ryton Organic Gardens was 3km from the evaluation site, organic maize production at Ryton would not be in conflict with the separation distance set by the association as a trigger for the re-assessment of organic status.

Food Supplements

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on negotiations on the draft directive on Food Supplements.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	A compromise proposal developed by the Swedish Presidency and supported by the United Kingdom was discussed in the Council of Ministers in May. However, there was insufficient support to achieve the qualified majority of votes needed to adopt the proposal. Further negotiations have yet to take place.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Disability Living Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2001, Official Report, column 196W, what estimate he has made of the specific provision made in the Disability Living Allowance for excess home heating costs; what proportion of people claiming (a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) other disability benefits presently receive the Disability Living Allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The care and mobility components in Disability Living Allowance act as broad indicators of all the extra costs of a disabled person, including heating costs.
	The available information about the proportion of people receiving incapacity and other relevant benefits who also get Disability Living Allowance is in the table.
	
		People in receipt of incapacity and disability benefits and the proportion who receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
		
			  All recipients Percentage receiving DLA (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Incapacity Benefit   
			 Incapacity Benefit 1,509,700 36 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance 366,100 82 
			  
			 Total 1,875,900 45 
			
			 Other benefits   
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit (IIDB) only 213,300 22 
			 Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) only 86,100 28 
			 Both IIDB and REA 67,400 41 
			  
			 Total 366,800 27 
		
	
	Notes
	1. Figures relate to 30 November 2000.
	2. Figures relate to 1 April 2003.
	3. Figures are based on 5 per cent. data.
	4. Figures are based on 5 per cent. data and exclude a small number of clerically held cases.
	5. Figures are based on 10 per cent. data.
	6. Severe Disablement Allowance was designed to provide help for people who could not receive Incapacity Benefit because they had not paid enough National Insurance Contributions. From April 2001 it is no longer available to new claimants, and severely disabled young people may be able to receive improved support from Incapacity Benefit without meeting the normal contribution contributions.
	7. Figures may not sum owing to rounding.
	Source:
	DWP Information Centre

Pensioners

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) retired and (b) drew their state pension in each year since 1996; how many people are over (i) 60, (ii) 65, (iii) 70, (iv) 75 and (v) 80 years; how many people are (A) eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners and (B) actually claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
	The latest estimates show that there are 10.5 million people of state pensionable age in Great Britain.
	
		Numbers of retirement pensioners in receipt of Basic State Pension for the years March 1996 to March 2000
		
			  Thousand 
			  Total ages 
		
		
			 March 1996 10,315.4 
			 March 1997 10,468.3 
			 March 1998 10,633.7 
			 March 1999 10,751.5 
			 March 2000 10,881.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 and expressed in thousands.
	2. Includes all retirement pensioners resident in Great Britain, Overseas and Channel Islands.
	Source:
	5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System at March for each year.
	
		Number of people over given ages
		
			   Men Women Total 
		
		
			 People aged 60 and over 5.16 6.72 11.88 
			 People aged 65 and over 3.79 5.3 9.08 
			 People aged 70 and over 2.58 3.99 6.57 
			 People aged 75 and over 1.55 2.75 4.3 
			 People aged 80 and over 0.75 1.64 2.39 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers of people are in millions rounded to the nearest 10,000 people.
	Source:
	Information is from the GAD 1998 Population Projections.
	The latest estimates of pensioners entitled to but not claiming Income Support (Minimum Income Guarantee since April 1999) are set out in the publication "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take Up in 1998–99", a copy of which is in the Library.
	As at February 2001 there were 1,679,300 people in Great Britain claiming Minimum Income Guarantee.
	Notes:
	1. The figure provided for people in Great Britain claiming Minimum Income Guarantee is based on a 5 per cent. sample of cases.
	2. The figure has been rounded to the nearest 100.
	3. Claimants are those who, or their partners, are 60 years or over.
	Source:
	Income Support Statistics Quarterly Inquiries—February 2001.

Child Support Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what was the average time taken by the Child Support Agency independent case examiner to conclude each case given to him in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01;
	(2)  how many cases the Child Support Agency independent case examiner dealt with in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01;
	(3)  how many people were employed by the Child Support Agency independent case examiner in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Child Support Agency independent case examiner
		
			   Staff employed Cases dealt with Average time (weeks) to conclude cases 
		
		
			 1997–98 41 204 17.4 
			 1998–99 38 474 25.3 
			 1999–2000 46 665 33.7 
			 2000–01 60 595 38.5

Disability Rights Commission

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Disability Rights Commission submitted to him the draft code of practice on part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and when he intends to lay it before Parliament.

Maria Eagle: Officials in my Department and the Commission have been working together on parts of the draft of the Code that was provided in February. The final version of the Code will be laid before Parliament when this work has been completed.

Departmental Staff

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) permanent and (b) casual staff there were in his Department on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the most recent date for which figures are available.

Nick Brown: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed from the Department of Social Security, Employment Service and part of the Department for Education and Employment on 11 June 2001. The following staffing figures shown relate to the component parts of the new Department. The figures for 1 May 1997 include Contributions Agency, Family Credit Unit which have since moved from the Department and the Information Technology Services Agency.
	At 1 May 1997 the Department of Social Security employed 97,625 permanent staff and 5,203 casuals. The figures for the Employment Service at that time were 32,248 permanent and 2,413 casual.
	At 31 May 2001, the Department of Social Security employed 89,599 permanent staff and 2,290 casuals. The Employment Service employed 35,067 permanent staff and 1,863 casuals.

Incapacity Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide a breakdown of the recipients of Incapacity Benefit by each available age cohort; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is available in the Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance Quarterly Summary Statistics February 2001 which are in the Library.

Incapacity Benefit

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will provide a breakdown by (a) constituency and (b) region of the United Kingdom of the number of new claimants of Incapacity Benefit anticipated in each year until 2005–06;
	(2)  what projection he has made of (a) the number of future claimants who will lose entitlement to Incapacity Benefit as a result of the proposed changes and (b) the average loss of entitlement per claimant, broken down by (i) constituency and (ii) region, of (A) Scotland, (B) England, (C) Wales and (D) Northern Ireland;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the annual saving as a result of the Government's proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit in each year up to 2005–06, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) each region of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested. The proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit are intended to help people move into work where possible, rather than reducing people's entitlement or making savings. In the past many people were moved onto Incapacity Benefit with limited help to make sure that they got the right level of support. There was no help to get people into work, nor any support or rehabilitation. Yet, as research has shown, one million disabled people not in work say they would like to work. We have a duty to help them do so and our proposals will help to achieve this.

Incapacity Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people currently receive Incapacity Benefit; how many have had no test of the status of their incapacity and their ability to work within the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many new claimants of Incapacity Benefit will have their claims subject to the new rules proposed by the Government on entitlement to Incapacity Benefit in each year until 2005–06, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) region of (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what proportion of Incapacity Benefit claimants for each year until 2005–06 will receive their benefit under (a) existing eligibility criteria and (b) the Government's proposed changes to the entitlement rules.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Members to the written answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions gave the hon. Members for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and for Northavon (Mr. Webb) and my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 11 July 2001, Official Report, columns 565–67W.

Incapacity Benefit

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of those in receipt of Incapacity Benefit are not subject to periodic medical tests because of their severe disability.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			   Number (Thousand) Percentage of all recipients 
		
		
			 All Incapacity Benefit (IB) recipients 1,515.2 100.0 
			 Total exemptions from the personal capability assessment 366.7 24.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data relate to recipients of IB at 28 February 2001.
	2. The data do not include "National Insurance credits only" cases.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for a further promotional campaign on stakeholder pensions; and what provision for such a campaign has been included in the previously announced forecasts of current year spending.

Ian McCartney: The Government attach great importance to providing clear information to help people make informed decisions about saving for their retirement and to encourage them to take action.
	We have undertaken work to inform both individuals and employers about stakeholder pensions. Our pensions education campaign gives individuals broad information about the range of pension options available, including stakeholder pensions. Our activities to inform employers about stakeholder pensions began last autumn when we mailed all employers with five or more employees and a programme of media activity has been taking place since then. In addition, we will be mailing employers with five or more employees again shortly to remind them about stakeholders.
	For individuals, we will continue to undertake pensions education publicity activity.

Social Security (Australia)

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what response he plans to make to the ending of the Social Security Agreement with Australia.

Ian McCartney: The Social Security Agreement between the UK and Australia ended on 28 February 2001. The Government announced in December that the UK pension position of people who had lived in Australia when the Agreement was in force would be protected. The Agreement allowed residence in Australia to count towards the UK retirement pension of people living in the UK. Periods of residence in Australia, up to 5 April 2001, can still be used in the pension calculation for people living permanently in the UK when they retire.
	People who were already getting benefit with the help of the Agreement are not affected by its ending.

Benefit Interviews

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monitoring has taken place of the schemes piloting compulsory interviews for (a) lone parents and (b) disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Compulsory work-focused interviews for lone parents and disabled people have been piloted as part of the ONE service. Qualitative research from the evaluation has recently been published.
	Lone parents and disabled people have generally reported that these compulsory interviews are a positive experience. We are taking forward the lessons learnt from these programmes in the development of Jobcentre Plus. Jobcentre Plus will provide a new service to benefit claimants of working age, offering help to those looking for work now or in the future. We are opening the door to more independence for those who feel trapped on benefit.

New Deal (Disabled People)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice was given to the Rehabilitation Resource Centre at City University, London, regarding the application process for the evaluation of the New Deal for Disabled People.

Nick Brown: holding answer 10 July 2001
	On 2 March 2001 an invitation seeking expressions of interest in tendering for the evaluation of New Deal for Disabled People was posted on the New Deal website. The website also contained information about the evaluation and about the New Deal for Disabled People.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties.

Alistair Darling: Tuesday 10 July 2001.

Pensioner Benefits

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the numbers of pensioners claiming (a) the Minimum Income Guarantee, (b) Housing Benefit, (c) Council Tax Benefit and (d) Attendance Allowance; and how many pensioners who are eligible do not claim these benefits.

Ian McCartney: The latest available information is as follows:
	(a) As at February 2001, 1,679,300 pensioners were claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee 1 .
	(b) As at May 1999, 1,769,000 pensioners were claiming Housing Benefit, and
	(c) 2,542,000 pensioners were claiming Council Tax Benefit 2 .
	(d) As at the end of November 2000, 1,291,300 pensioners were claiming Attendance Allowance 3 .
	Available information on take-up of benefit can be found in the publication "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take Up in 1998–99", a copy of which is in the Library. Up-to-date information on take-up of Attendance Allowance is not available.
	Sources:
	1 Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, 5 per cent. sample, February 2001.
	2 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample, May 1999.
	3 Based on 5 per cent. sample data relating to 30 November 2000.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place a copy of the new piloted minimum income guarantee claim form in the Library.

Ian McCartney: We are developing a new reduced form for claiming Minimum Income Guarantee with a range of stakeholders and we expect to have it ready for use by October 2001.

Pensions (Hospital Downrating)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 270W, concerning hospital downrating, if he will estimate the annual cost of abolishing the reduction of state pensions, other contributory benefits and income-related benefits for the first 12 weeks for (a) claimants and (b) pensioners.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is not available.

Pension Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 7W, on the pension credit, if his response to the pension credit consultation document will include both a summary of the responses received and details of the organisations that provided submissions.

Ian McCartney: We will be guided by the Cabinet Office Code of practice on written consultation published in November 2000, a copy of which is held in the Library.

Occupational Pensions

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to receive the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority's fifth annual report; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: I have received the fifth report of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA). I have laid copies of the report before both Houses today.

Social Inclusion

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library copies of the United Kingdom's national action plan on social inclusion.

Alistair Darling: I have today placed in the Library copies of the UK National Action Plan on Social Inclusion for 2001–03, which sets out the Government's policies for implementing the objectives in the fight against social exclusion and the eradication of poverty, agreed at the European Council held in Nice in December 2000. The plan contains information on policies and programmes that are tackling exclusion throughout the UK.

HEALTH

Tattoo Removal

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many surgical procedures to remove unwanted tattoos on (a) women and (b) men were carried out by the NHS; and at what cost in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows data for in-patient episodes for minor skin procedures, such as for the removal of tattoos and port wine stains, in national health service hospitals in England from 1997–98 to 1999–2000. This is the most recent information available. Information on the cost of these episodes is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Male 77 40 40 
			 Female 96 58 49 
			 Unknown 2 0 0 
			  
			 Total 175 98 89 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics

Breast Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer tested to date overexpress the HER-2 marker;
	(2)  what the cost per patient is of assessing the HER-2 status of women diagnosed with breast cancer;
	(3)  what guidelines he has issued to health authorities assessing the HER-2 status of women diagnosed with breast cancer;
	(4)  what proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer were assessed for the expression of the HER-2 marker (a) by the NHS and (b) privately in England in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001;
	(5)  what financial support he has provided to cancer centres and units to assess the HER-2 status of women diagnosed with breast cancer;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the implications for treatment of women with breast cancer who overexpress the HER-2 marker;
	(7)  what recent discussions he has had with the (a) cancer charities, (b) patient group of organisations, (c) medical profession and (d) pharmaceutical companies regarding HER-2 testing of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Yvette Cooper: We do not know how many women are currently tested for the HER-2 marker, either on the national health service or privately. Some research groups working in NHS trusts will measure HER-2 status for research purposes, or prior to entry of patients into clinical trials.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of herceptin (a drug that specifically targets the HER-2 protein) and will publish guidance shortly. As part of that appraisal process we expect that NICE will be looking at the cost of HER-2 testing. Charities, patient groups, health professionals and the pharmaceutical industry will all have had the opportunity to submit evidence to NICE during this process.
	Health authorities will be expected to meet the costs of positive recommendations from NICE from the £255 million available to them in 2001–02 for cancer services.

Breast Cancer

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on women with breast cancer who overexpress the HER2 marker of non-prescription of herceptin.

Yvette Cooper: No assessment has been made of the impact of non-prescription herceptin in women who over express the HER2 marker. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been asked to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of herceptin in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
	If NICE makes a positive recommendation for herceptin health authorities will be expected to fund the treatment from the additional £255 million available to them for cancer services in 2001–02.

Bowel Cancer

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investment his Department is making in services to combat bowel cancer.

Yvette Cooper: An additional £280 million is available in 2001–02 to improve the delivery of cancer care.
	Since 1998, £10 million per year has been invested to implement "Improving Outcomes" guidance on colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer patients have also benefited from the £6 million investment in nine cancer services collaborative (CSC) pilots which have been proven to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. The CSC is now being rolled out across all 34 cancer networks.
	The NHS cancer plan set out a commitment to a £2.5 million endoscopy training programme. Endoscopy is a key diagnostic procedure for gastro-intestinal cancers. General practitioners, nurses, surgeons and gastroenterologists will benefit from this initiative which will help in meeting an increasing demand for endoscopy.
	There is also a programme of investment in cancer equipment under way. £93 million from the new opportunities fund and £100 million from the modernisation fund will buy new and replacement equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
	A bowel cancer screening pilot is currently under way at sites in Scotland and England. The pilot will complete in 2002, and if it demonstrates that colorectal cancer screening is appropriate, feasible and acceptable to the public we will introduce it for all people aged 50–69.

Chrysotile Asbestos

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of chrysotile asbestos in environmental projects for which his Department is responsible.

Yvette Cooper: Departmental policy is that chrysotile asbestos must not be used in any new works or projects in accordance with the provisions of the relevant health and safety legislation.

NHS Recruitment and Retention (North Staffordshire)

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the further investment announced in March to improve the recruitment and retention of general practitioners and nurses was allocated to the north Staffordshire health authority.

Yvette Cooper: We announced £135 million in March 2001 for recruitment, retention and returners to the national health service work force, particularly general practitioners and nurses. Allocations have not yet been made to individual health authorities.
	This additional money will be significant in enabling us to achieve the ambitious proposals set out in the NHS plan, with 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more GPs, 20,000 more nurses, midwives and health visitors, and 6,500 more therapists and other health professionals by 2004.

Alzheimer's Disease

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to (a) monitor the implementation of NICE guidance on the use of Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and (b) publish the results;
	(2)  when he will direct health authorities to make funds available for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease with Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl.

Jacqui Smith: All national health service bodies and clinicians are expected to give due weight to guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and to the evidence on which it is based. The Department is monitoring implementation of NICE's guidance through its established procedures supplemented through other data sources available to the Department. We will be looking to the Commission for Health Improvement to provide more information in due course.
	We are currently preparing to implement our manifesto commitment that
	"local health authorities and trusts will be directed to fund drugs and treatments recommended by the NICE". We expect to announce further details shortly.

Care Homes

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under 16 live in care homes in England and Wales.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested for England is provided in the table for the year ending 31 March 2000, the latest year for which figures are available. Requests for information about Wales should be addressed to the National Assembly for Wales.
	
		Children looked after at 31 March 2000 who were placed in children's homes or residential care homes—England
		
			 Placement Number 
		
		
			 Children's homes 6,300 
			 Community homes 4,800 
			 Voluntary homes 370 
			 Private registered children's homes 1,200 
			   
			 Residential care homes and nursing homes (Residential Homes Act 1984 110 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for children looked after in this table exclude children accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.
	2. Figures are estimates derived in part from SSDA903 one-third sample of looked-after children, and include estimates for missing data and incomplete returns.
	3. Figures have been rounded and therefore the detailed figures may not sum to the total presented.
	Source:
	DH annual returns SSDA 903 and CLA 100.

Drug Prescriptions

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what quantity of each individual antidepressant was prescribed by doctors in England in 2000;
	(2)  what quantity of each individual benzodiazepine was prescribed by doctors in England in 2000.

Jacqui Smith: Statistics about prescription items dispensed in the community in England during 2000, at individual preparation level, are published in the publication "Prescription Cost Analysis: England 2000". The publication provides details about items dispensed, their cost, and the quantity, and covers all prescriptions dispensed in the community in England during 2000. The items are listed alphabetically within chemical entity by British National Formulary therapeutic class. A copy has been placed in the Library. The data are also available on the internet: www.doh.gov.uk/stats/pca2000.htm.

Food Labelling

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that labels on food products accurately reflect the country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 9 July 2001
	The Food Standards Agency is pressing for changes to labelling rules at European and international levels to require information about country-of-origin labelling to be provided to consumers on a wider range of foods, particularly meat products, and for clear rules on the use of terms like "produce of". The FSA will shortly begin a review of the guidance notes on origin labelling, issued last year, to ensure that current legal requirements are interpreted in the way most likely to meet consumers' concerns.

Mental Health Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to have collated information from health authorities and trusts in order to determine the proportion of total NHS spend used to provide mental health services in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01.

Jacqui Smith: Information from health authorities and national health service trusts showing the proportion of total NHS spend used to provide mental health services in 1999–2000 will be available in early August. Information for 2000–01 will be available early August 2002.

Cannabis

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received on the carcinogenic, toxic and psychotic effects of smoking cannabis; and if he will place it in the Library.

Yvette Cooper: A report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, published on 11 November 1998, included a review of available evidence on the effects of cannabis. The report is available in the Library.
	The Department has funded three literature reviews of various aspects of cannabis. The following reports are also available in the Library.
	"Clinical and Pharmacological Aspects"—Professor Heather Ashton (Newcastle University)
	"Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects"—Dr. Andrew Johns (Institute of Psychiatry)
	"Therapeutic Aspects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids"—Dr. Philip Robson (Oxford University).
	A further study, "Long Term Heavy Cannabis Use: Patterns and Problems" is due to be completed in September 2001.

Public Appointments

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the proportion was of (a) women and (b) black and Asian non-executive members of health authorities and NHS trusts in May 1997; and what were the proportions appointed in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01.

Hazel Blears: The proportions of non-executive directors, including chairs, on the boards of national health service trusts and health authorities for each year since May 1997 who were women, or black or from an ethnic minority background, are shown in the table in percentage terms.
	
		Percentage 
		
			  May  
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Proportion of non-executives and chairs who were women 39.8 42.6 48.4 49,3 49.2 
			 Proportion of non-executives and chairs who were black or from an ethnic minority 5.8 7.8 10.5 11.8 12.4

Nursing Care (Elderly)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the funding of the costs of nursing care for the elderly; when the first payments for funding will be made; and if payments will be made directly to elderly people.

Jacqui Smith: Detailed guidance will be issued for consultation shortly.

Nursing Care (Elderly)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition his Department will apply to nursing care in a residential home.

Jacqui Smith: The national health service, through local community nurses, already provides for the nursing needs of residential care home residents. There is no need for this to be defined.
	A definition of what constitutes care by a registered nurse is set out at section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. When commenced, this will remove the ability of councils to provide nursing care by a registered nurse in nursing homes, paving the way for NHS nursing care.

Pilgrim Hospital, Boston (Neurology Waiting Times)

Douglas Hogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action he is taking to reduce waiting times for an appointment to see a consultant neurologist at the Pilgrim hospital, Boston;
	(2)  if he will assess the length of waiting times for an appointment to see a consultant neurologist at the Pilgrim hospital, Boston; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The vast majority of neurology outpatients—about 95 per cent.—are seen within 26 weeks and the average waiting time in England is 11.04 weeks. More than 58 per cent. of hospitals are able to give appointments within 13 weeks. However, we recognise that on occasions, some patients, like those at Pilgrim hospital, Boston, can wait a long time for neurology treatment.
	The service at Pilgrim hospital is provided by consultants from Queen's medical centre, Nottingham. There have been difficulties in recruiting to this outreach service, but provision has been made to recruit to two additional posts, one of which will be based at Boston. Additional clinics and support are also being provided from Sheffield. This will help us to meet the waiting times targets in the NHS plan.

Stroke Patients

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on ensuring that stroke patients are assessed by social services before discharge;
	(2)  how many beds were available in specialist stroke units in each of the past five years.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, many hospitals already have, or plan to introduce, specialist stroke services.
	The Department published the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) on 27 March 2001. It sets out a comprehensive strategy to ensure fair, high quality integrated health and social care and reduce variations in services for older people.
	The NSF addresses a number of specific conditions which are significant for, although not limited to, older people. It includes a standard on stroke and service models which should apply to all who need them regardless of age.
	The stroke standard provides for stroke prevention, immediate care, early and continuing rehabilitation, and long-term support as components of a service model for integrated specialist stroke services which will build on current arrangements and be in place in all general hospitals which care for people with stroke by April 2004.

Community Equipment Services

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to monitor the effectiveness of community equipment services;
	(2)  how many local authorities have established agreed budgets with their relevant NHS trust in relation to community equipment services;
	(3)  what targets he has set for the number of additional people who will have access to community equipment services.

Jacqui Smith: The NHS plan set targets for integrating community equipment services by 2004 and, by the same date, increasing the number of people benefiting from these services by 50 per cent. To reach these targets, all councils with social services responsibility are expected to draft plans for integration, agree them with the national health service locally, and have budgets agreed with NHS colleagues by April 2002. Information on early achievement of these targets is not held centrally.
	The effectiveness of community equipment services will be monitored in a number of ways. These include regular statistical returns from councils with social services responsibilities and health authorities, monitoring through the social services inspectorate and scrutiny of local action plans. The Department is keeping the need for further performance measures under review, being advised by those in the field, service users and others with an interest.

Kayleigh Glenn

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the case of Kayleigh Glenn of Summerfield road, Solihull, and her need for emergency surgery.

Yvette Cooper: First, may I say how sorry I was to hear about the distressing circumstances surrounding this case.
	I can confirm, however, that a new clinical team has been assembled at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and that Kayleigh was admitted on the evening of Thursday 12 July and an operation was carried out on Friday 13 July. I understand that Kayleigh's condition is stable.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Electronic Conveyancing

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the responses to the consultation paper "Electronic Conveyancing: A Draft Order under Section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000" (cp.5/2001) published on 16 March.

Michael Wills: The consultation paper period closed on 25 June. Copies of the responses have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. My Department is currently preparing an analysis of the responses and that will be published shortly.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Responsibilities

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the departmental responsibility for (a) regional policy, (b) regional development agencies, (c) planning policy, (d) urban regeneration, (e) rural regeneration and (f) regional assemblies under the new departmental structure; and if he will make a statement on the factors underlying these new departmental responsibilities.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 408W.

Black Police Association

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Prime Minister if he has received a copy of the letter dated 7 June to the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office from Chair of the Black Police Association.

Tony Blair: As far as I am aware, I have not received a copy of this letter.

Black Police Association

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met representatives of the Black Police Association.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of such meetings.

Gifts

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how many pictures of the House of Commons he has signed since 1 May 1997 which were intended to be given as gifts to businessmen; and what his policy is in respect of such gifts.

Tony Blair: I am asked to sign a range of material by MPs. I understand that the majority of this material is intended for auctions and presents for staff.

Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification

Colin Breed: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the membership of the ministerial group on biotechnology and genetic modification (MISC6).

Tony Blair: MISC6 has now been dissolved. It has been replaced by a new ministerial sub-committee on biotechnology (SCI(BIO)). I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 452W.

Dredging (Tidal Water)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister which Department has responsibility for controlling estuarine maintenance dredging in England.

Tony Blair: The Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has responsibility.

Incapacity Benefit

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister if he will meet national organisations representing the disabled to discuss changes to Incapacity Benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 July 2001, Official Report, column 261.